BGT 23: Steve Smith to lead Aussies in 4th Test in Pat Cummins’s absence

New Delhi: Steve Smith will lead Australia in the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India. Aussies captain Pat Cummins is not expected to play in the fourth test.

Pat Cummins left for Australia after the second Test in Delhi last month to be with his ailing mother in Sydney. Cummins’ mother Maria is suffering from breast cancer and is in palliative care, Cricket Australia reported.

As captain Steve Smith has already stirred Australia to a stunning nine-wicket win against India in the third Test in Indore. Smith will again lead the visitors in the fourth and final Test as Australia look to level the series.

“My time is done. It’s Pat’s team now. I’ve obviously been able to stand in this week, obviously in tough circumstances with Patty going home. Our thoughts are still with him back home,” Smith said after the Indore Test win.

Australian team management has not yet taken a call on Cummins’ availability for the three-match ODI series following the Test series. Cummins was appointed Australia’s 50-over captain last year after Aaron Finch’s retirement.

Fast bowler Jhye Richardson, who suffered a recurrence of a left hamstring injury while playing club cricket on the weekend, has been ruled out of the ODI series. He is replaced by Nathan Ellis in the squad.