Australian Test captain Pat Cummins out of third Test against India, Steve Smith to captain

Australian Test skipper Pat Cummins was expected to return for the third Test in India but will miss the match for a devastating reason.

Australian Test cricket captain Pat Cummins will not play in the third Test against India as he will stay with his seriously ill mother.

It comes days after Cummins flew home but was expected to return for the next match starting on March 1 at Indore.

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However, Cummins has chosen to spend another week in Sydney, revealing his his mother is in palliative care.

“I have decided against returning to India at this time as my mother is ill and in palliative care. I feel I am best being here with my family,” Cummins said on Friday.

“I appreciate the overwhelming support I have received from Cricket Australia and my teammates. Thanks for your understanding.”

Cummins will not be back for the third Test. Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

With a nine-day gap between the second and third Tests, it was hoped it would be enough time for Cummins to return to the team but family should trump his return to cricket.

Vice-captain Steve Smith will take over the captaincy duties for the third Test and, depending on if Cummins will return in time, the fourth Test in Ahmedabad starting on March 9.

Cummins was also named as captain of the Australian ODI squad to play India after the Test series.

The 29-year-old wasn’t the only one to return to Australia either as David Warner, Josh Hazlewood and Ashton Agar also returned home.

The match will be the third time Smith has taken the captaincy reins during Cummins tenure as Test skipper in late 2021.

Smith was informed he was taking over the captaincy on Thursday night and met with coach Andrew McDonald on Friday morning.

The wider team was told of Cummins’ decision on Friday morning during training.

It was revealed earlier in the week Cummins was returning to Australia after India won the second Test on day three, wrapping up the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with two Tests still remaining.

Cummins was panned over the performance, criticised for not bowling himself enough and for a wild sweep shot that saw him dismissed for a golden duck in the second innings with a wild swipe across the line.

Speaking after the second Test, Cummins was hopeful that “a bit of a refresh” will spur a turnaround for his side and better application from the batters.

“That’s quite an experienced change room, a few of the batters have scored runs in similar conditions before, they found a way.

“So absolutely, it’s still a series to draw.”

It appears as though Mitchell Starc and Cameron Green will return from injury for the match, should they be clears from their respective finger injuries.