Australia won’t rest Pat Cummins and Mitch Starc despite World Cup workload

Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins have been granted their wish to play in every match of this World Cup, with Aaron Finch insisting a lack of recent wickets from Cummins is no cause for concern.

• Australia’s data revolution set to win World Cup
• Langer happy with pitches, Poms complaining
• Now England players are turning on the fans!
• World Cup delivery Warner will never forget

Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc will play every World Cup match in a tournament that rolls into a jammed Ashes series, as captain Aaron Finch declared Cummins’ recent form was not a problem.

Australia’s golden boy has taken 0/106 from 18 overs in the past two wins while his reputation as a powerful tailender has also diminished in England.

Cummins has made scores of two, eight, two, zero and one in five World Cup innings (13 runs).

“It is tough coming in against England and you’ve got (Jorfra) Archer and these guys bowling at you and you’re expected to try and score quickly it’s tough for anyone,” captain Aaron Finch said.

Australia's Pat Cummins has gone wicketless for the last two World Cup matches.

“Coming in against India you’ve got (Jasprit) Bumrah and (Mohammad) Shami coming at you first-up. Maybe he’s down on confidence a little with the bat, but with the ball I think he’s been excellent.

KING KOHLI: India skipper smashes Sachin and Lara’s record

BRING IT ON: Warner tells boo boys ‘I thrive on that stuff’

“There’s nothing to suggest otherwise. Yes, he hasn’t got the wickets in the last two games, but he’s still been a huge part of our side.

“He’s someone who’s so reliable that you go to when you either need a wicket or you need some control in a game. He provides so much for the side.”

Before the past two games Cummins was Australia’s top-order destroyer, removing four opening batsmen from his 11 tournament wickets.

Coach Justin Langer considered resting Starc and Cummins, particularly during the recent stretch of four games in 10 days, but is set to grant their wishes of continuing.

“I would be surprised if either of those guys rest up,” he said.

“The challenge is going to be that we have long lay-offs now, a bit of a lay-off here, then six days in Manchester. We have to manage that really well.”