IND vs AUS: Visiting team to wear black armbands for Pat Cummins’ mother on Day 2

Cricket Australia has confirmed that Australia skipper Pat Cummins’ mother has passed away last night. She was in palliative care for a few days and that’s the reason why the cricketer has missed the last two Tests of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Meanwhile, the Australian board in a statement has mentioned that the Steve Smith-led side will wear black armbands as a mark of respect for Maria Cummins, Pat Cummins’ mother.

“We are deeply saddened at the passing of Maria Cummins overnight. On behalf of Australian Cricket, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Pat, the Cummins family and their friends. The Australian Men's team will today wear black armbands as a mark of respect,” the statement read.

Khawaja’s century put Australia in driver’s seat on Day 1 of fourth Test

With Australia currently trailing 2-1 in the ongoing Test series against India, the team is desperate to make a comeback and draw level with the hosts. With that goal in mind, the visiting team started well and posted 255 runs on board after the end of Day 1.

In the absence of David Warner, Travis Head gave Australia a perfect start, scoring 32 off 44 deliveries. However, soon after his dismissal, Usman Khawaja took control of the situation, scoring a brilliant century under pressure as players like Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith couldn’t get going. Peter Handscomb too got out as veteran pacer Mohammed Shami completely bamboozled the batter.

Overall, Australia have managed to get a good start and are in the driver’s seat after Day 1 of the fourth Test. When it comes to the Indian bowlers, Shami picked up two while Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin picked up one each. The spinners had a rough tough time in the middle and that needs to change if the Rohit Sharma-led side wants to make a comeback in the match.

For Australia, Khawaja and Green (49*) would like to play in the same manner and help their side reestablish their authority in the middle.

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