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Why Are Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc And Steve Smith Not Playing AUS vs PAK 3rd ODI?

Rajgeeta Yadav

Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc aren't playing third ODI vs Pakistan [Source: @gulftoday/X.com]Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc aren't playing third ODI vs Pakistan [Source: @gulftoday/X.com]

Pakistan won the toss and elected to bowl first in the third ODI against Australia, making no changes to their lineup. Meanwhile, in the absence of Pat Cummins, Josh Inglis led the home side and noted that there were five significant changes to their playing XI from the last game at Adelaide Oval. 

Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc And Steve Smith Rested Ahead Of Perth Test vs India

It’s understood that Australian skipper Pat Cummins, star pacer Mitchell Starc, powerhouse batter Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne and Josh Hazlewood have been rested to prepare for the crucial upcoming five-match Test series against India, which starts on November 22 in Perth. These players are part of Australia’s squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, with Pat Cummins set to lead the side.

Notably, this five-match Test series against India is important for Aussies to secure their place in the World Test Championship final 2025.

With these senior players absent, Josh Inglis now faces the challenge of leading the squad, consisting largely of emerging Australian talents, to secure a series victory. To fill the gaps, Marcus Stoinis, Cooper Connolly, Sean Abbott, Lance Morris, and Spencer Johnson have joined.

AUS Vs PAK 3rd ODI: Playing XIs

Australia Playing XI: Matthew Short, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis (c), Cooper Connolly, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Sean Anthony Abbott, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson, Lance Morris

Pakistan Playing XI: Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (c), Kamran Ghulam, Agha Salman (vc), Irfan Khan Niazi, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain