'Some things are more important in life than cricket' - Jason Gillespie recommends Pat Cummins to miss remaining series

Australian skipper Pat Cummins will miss the upcoming third Test against India after extending his stay in Sydney after his mother needed palliative care. The influential pacer is in doubt for the series finale as well and former Australian cricketer Jason Gillespie expects Pat Cummins to miss the rest of the series.

Jason Gillespie, who was part of the Australian team that defeated the Indian team in Test series in the subcontinent, feels there is nothing more important than family. He reckoned that Cummins should spend more time with his family since India retained the Border Gavaskar Trophy after winning the opening two matches.

"Pat Cummins is a great bowler, no doubt, but some things are more important in life than a game of cricket. It wouldn't surprise me if we didn't see him on this tour [again]. With all due respect, the series is gone, we can't win the series, and there's series coming up this year … moving forward, it might just be a really good opportunity for Pat Cummins to spend important time, precious time, with close family and friends.

"What's more important, spending time with your close family and friends and particularly your mum who's gravely ill, or the fourth Test of a series that you've already lost? He's already missing the third Test, for me it's an absolute no-brainer. It wouldn't surprise me if behind the scenes they've already said to Pat, we don't need you here in India for this Test series.

We've got the bowling there to cover: Jason Gillespie

Talking about the series, the former pacer stated that Australia have not been up to the mark with their methods against the spinners. Gillespie reckoned Australia will be able to cope with Cummins' absence since Mitchell Starc and Cameron Green are set to return for the third Test, boosting Australia's bowling department in the absence of their regular skipper. 

"Yes, it's been challenging conditions, but the Australians certainly need to find a way to get the methods right because they know they're going to cop more spin. It gives Australia an opportunity, they've got Mitchell Starc back fit and firing, they've got Cameron Green, they've got Lance Morris waiting in the wings, Scotty Boland — we've got the bowling there to cover," Gillespie added.