Steve Smith takes over as captain After Pat Cummins leave the field due to injury. Australia is facing the visiting West Indies in the first of two Test series matches, which is being played at Perth Stadium.
Pat Cummins, Australia’s official red-ball skipper, departed the field on many occasions while the Windies were batting in their first innings owing to quadricep pain, therefore Smith was seen guiding the squad.Cricket Australia revealed that the skipper had slight quadricep pain just before the start of play on the fourth day.
“Pat Cummins is suffering from some modest right sided quadricep pain,” Cricket Australia said.
It’s unknown whether Cummins will return to bowl the rest of the game. The medical team will assess the injury and determine whether the pace spearhead can continue or must rest indefinitely.
Also Visit: Dwayne Bravo ends his IPL career to join CSK as bowling coach.
Marnus Labuschagne breaks two century
In terms of the match, Australia has set a target of 498 for the visitors to achieve. Marnus Labuschagne struck an unbeaten 104 in the second innings to add to his tally of centuries. The hitter had earlier scored 204 runs in the first innings, which, along with Steve Smith’s 200*, drove the team to 598 runs when Cummins declared.
During Australia’s first innings, Labuschagne was incredibly cautious with his approach, methodically picking deliveries and threading gaps with ease. He batted with significantly more freedom in the second innings, looking unstoppable and batting according to the occasion.
In response, the visitors scored 283 runs in the first inning and are currently chasing 498 runs in the second. Meanwhile, Cummins’ wicket of Kraigg Brathwaite in the Windies’ first batting innings represented his 200th Test wicket for the national team. With a day left in the contest, it remains to be seen whether the Windies can chase down the total.
Also Read: IPL announced addition of ‘tactical’substitute’ for 2023 season