Australia v West Indies team news: Pat Cummins fails fitness test, replacement confirmed

Pat Cummins has failed to overcome a quad injury sustained in the first Test against West Indies, opening the door for cult hero’s return.

Pat Cummins has been officially ruled out of the second Test, with Scott Boland returning to the Australian attack and Steve Smith to captain his second straight Adelaide Test.

Boland will play his fourth Test for Australia after his spectacular debut last summer in the Ashes where he took 6-7 at the MCG.

Cummins has not fully recovered from a quad strain suffered in Perth and Smith will again captain in Adelaide, after last year deputising for Cummins when he was ruled out due to Covid protocols.

Team medical staff deemed Cummins did not have enough time to recover off a short three-day turnaround, but is expected to be fit for the first Test against South Africa in Brisbane.

Nathan Lyon believes Boland will thrive in Adelaide conditions, with the Adelaide drop in used as the blueprint for the MCG Boxing Day deck where the 33-year-old created havoc last year.

“It’s pretty similar to be honest. I wouldn’t be surprised if Damien (Hough, Adelaide curator) has had some conversation with the Melbourne curators about how to do drop in wickets to his level,” said Lyon.

“So that wicket last year was pretty similar to an Adelaide wicket.

“Probably the closest a MCG on a drop in wicket has been to Adelaide.

“I’m expecting pretty similar things if Scott gets the opportunity with the pink ball. I don’t think too many things will change. His confidence is up and so it should be.”

Lyon said Boland is ready to rumble again.

Scott Boland returns to the Test team. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty

Pat Cummins has been ruled out. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty

“His skill set has always been at the top in my eyes,” said Lyon of Boland.

“What I see in Scott now is his confidence levels have obviously gone up a little bit and so they should have.

“He’s a world class bowler and he’s only had a limited taste of international cricket, but when he’s had his opportunity he’s done extremely well.

“He’s one of the most nicest, humble blokes going around. So it’s really good to see his shoulders go back a little bit and have that confidence to go out there and understand what his role is required and he’ll go out there and do it as well as we know.”

AUSTRALIA: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (capt), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon

WEST INDIES LIKELY: Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Kraigg Brathwaite (capt), Shamarh Brooks, Jermaine Blackwood, Kyle Mayers, Jason Holder, Joshua Da Silva, Roston Chase, Alzarri Joseph, Kemar Roach*/Anderson Phillip, Jayden Seales*/Marquino Mindley (*under injury clouds)

Originally published as Australia v West Indies team news: Pat Cummins fails fitness test, replacement confirmed