Australia v West Indies Second Test in Adelaide teams: Pat Cummins out, Scott Boland in

Steve Smith will again assume skipper’s role as quad injury rules Pat Cummins out of pink ball Test in Adelaide for second year running.

Pat Cummins (right) undergoes a fitness test with team physio Nick Jones ahead of the Adelaide Test against the West Indies. Picture: Getty Images

Captain Pat Cummins is out of the Adelaide Test for the second year running.

Steve Smith will, again, assume the skipper’s role in his absence and Scott Boland comes into the side. Cummins missed the match last year after fleeting exposure to Covid saw him barred from participating.

The captain strained a thigh muscle in the first innings of the Perth Test and did not bowl in the second, although he claimed he would have if it were necessary.

While positive noises came out of the camp regarding his availability for the second Test, it was unlikely selectors would ever take a risk given the immediate and long term consequences of him worsening the injury.

Losing a bowler has a significant impact on workloads and outcomes in a Test match. Losing Cummins on the eve of the biggest eight months in the calendar would be a major blow.

Pat Cummins runs past team physio Nick Jones (left) and strength and conditioning coach Aaron Kellett during a fitness test, which he ultimately failed. Picture: Getty Images

Australia play the second Test against the West Indies beginning Thursday then commence a three Test series against South Africa on the following Saturday.

Five Tests in a six week period are followed soon after by four in India, a Test match championship in June and then a five Test Ashes series in the UK.

Boland took 6-9 in the second innings of his debut match at the MCG last summer and with the Adelaide wicket expected to provide similar assistance he is the perfect like-for-like replacement.

The Victorian has 19 wickets at an average of 9.55 from three Test matches.

“Boland will play his fourth Test match for Australia as the second Indigenous male player to play Test cricket after Jason Gillespie,” Cricket Australia said in a statement yesterday morning.

Scott Boland (left), pictured with batsman Travis Head, will replace Pat Cummins tomorrow. Picture: Getty Images

“Boland replaces Test captain Pat Cummins who has not recovered fully from a quadricep strain suffered in the opening match in Perth. Steve Smith will captain the team in Adelaide.

“Team medical staff commenced Cummins’ recovery in Adelaide but selectors deemed there was not sufficient time for the fast bowler to be fully fit for the match, which starts tomorrow.”

Cummins is expected to return for the Brisbane Test.