Pat Cummins fit to play final Test, Josh Hazlewood optimistic of a series victory

With Australian fast bowler Pat Cummins given the nod to play in the final Test at Dharamsala, Australia will be looking to come out all guns blazing with the pitch expected to assist the pacers. Left-arm spinner Steve O’Keefe might make way for Jackson Bird. On the other hand, India will be wary of the fact that Australia might thrive on pacer friendly conditions after seeing the performance of Cummins in the previous match in Ranchi which was a batting paradise.

Pat Cummins underwent scans of his scarred spine as a part of the precautionary measures of the injury. There was no soreness or concerns for any fresh injuries. Cummins was given a clean chit but what might affect his performance in the final Test might be fatigue. Cummins bowled 39 overs during the Ranchi Test and bagged 4 prized wickets despite not playing a single first-class match for the last 6 years. He was down with a series of stress fractures to his back and legs which prevented him from taking part in first-class cricket.

The Dharamsala pitch curator has suggested that it will be a seamer friendly wicket but Josh Hazlewood feels that India will be reluctant to go with a fast pitch after seeing the performance of Pat Cummins on a batting-friendly pitch in Ranchi.

“I’d love to see it fast and bouncy,” Hazlewood was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au prior to the pre-Test training session in Dharamsala which will host its maiden Test from 25th March. “But that’s what they said in Pune as well and we didn’t quite get that.

“I think the way they saw Patty Cummins bowl the other day, they don’t really want it any faster than Ranchi. I think everyone was taken back by the way he bowled, and to get that lift and pace off the wicket like that. He’s a pretty special player and to bring that extra pace is what you need sometimes on these wickets to get those breakthroughs. Hopefully, he can stay on the park and keep playing.”

Hazlewood also feels that India will look for a result oriented wicket in Dharamsala which will help them regain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy which is currently with Australia. A drawn series will be enough for the Aussies to retain the trophy.

“I think the wicket will determine a result.They (India) need to win so the wicket they serve up will bring a result into the game. The pressure is firmly on them. We can draw it (to retain the Trophy) but we obviously want to win it, win 2-1 and win a series in India which rarely happens.”

The final Test will be played at the HPCA Ground in Dharamsala from 25th March which will host its maiden Test match.