Australia’s Captain Pat Cummins confirmed his unavailability for the third test. Cummins returned to Australia on February 20 to be with his ailing mother.
Reacting to the incident, former Australian bowler Jason Gillespie has advised Cummins to stay back in Australia for the remainder of the series.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if we didn’t see him on this tour [again],” Gillespie was quoted as saying by Summer Grandstand.
Be a son. Be a brother, just be around your family: Jason Gillespie
Gillespie came out in total solidarity with Cummins and his family, advising the Australian skipper to be a family man and spend time with his loved ones, ahead of a tight cricketing season.
“If I was in charge, I’d probably just say to him, ‘stay at home’. With all due respect, the series is gone, we can’t win the series, 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,” Gillespie said.
“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 asked rhetorically.
“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. Be a son. Be a brother, just be around your family. Family is the number one thing,” he further said.
