Australia skipper Pat Cummins was angry with himself as he missed the second Ashes Test after coming in contact with an active Covid-19 case. 28-year-old was forced to self-isolate as Cricket Australia’s (CA) strict guidelines for Covid-19 made him miss the pink-ball Test. Cummins will be back for the Boxing Day (December 26) Test and felt “Really Angry” about himself as he spoke to the media.
"I (was) really angry - but I don't know who at," the returning skipper said.
The current World No.1 Test bowler was himself to be blamed after he went on dinner before the Pink-ball Test.
"There was no one to blame. Once it became apparent, the state rules, you have to follow them."
"We knew it might pop at some stage in this series. I didn't think - or hope - it was going to be me," Cummins said.
"You abide by the protocols, but there (was) hardly any Covid around, so I didn't factor it in at all until the bloke popped up next to me and said he's positive."
"No one did anything wrong. The poor guy just flew to Adelaide to try and enjoy a couple of days of cricket - I felt really bad for him as well."
The right-arm bowler was named Australia’s skipper ahead of the Ashes as former captain Tim Paine was involved in a controversy and opted to withdraw from the team. The 28-year-old was Aussies 47th Test captain in the history of Test cricket. In Cummins absence, Steve Smith took charge of the team as he successfully guided Australia to a 275-run win.
The Boxing Day encounter at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) will see Cummins back in the fold. Scott Boland from Victoria will make his shock debut; he was not involved in the primary squad for the Ashes but will earn his first cap at the age of 32. Australia currently leads the Ashes 2-0 and draw at the MCG will see them retain the urn.
