Pat Cummins Out Of AUS vs SA 1st ODI; Reason Revealed

Pat Cummins Out of 1st ODI- (Source: AFP)South Africa and Australia will lock horns for a multi-format series starting on Thursday, September 24. The two heavyweights will kickstart the series with ODIs, and Kingsmead Stadium in Durban will host the first match.Ahead of the series opener, Australia have dealt a heavy blow as star player Pat Cummins is set to miss the first ODI to focus on Test preparations. Notably, Cummins also skipped the entire ODI series against Zimbabwe.Pat Cummins Arrives Late, Set To Skip 1st ODI vs SAA report from Cricinfo stated that Pat Cummins, who was named in Australia’s ODI squad for South Africa, has arrived late to the Rainbow Nation. The right-arm seamer is carefully managing his workload and has prioritised Test cricket at this moment.Following the three-match ODI series, Australia will play a Test series against South Africa, and the right-arm seamer wants to be fully available for that series. Long before the series, Cummins had already hinted that he would use South Africa ODIs to prepare for Tests.Also Read: CSK Release Statement After Fixing Allegations Rock IPL Once AgainPat Cummins Hinted About Not Playing SA ODIs Long BackAustralia dealt a shock against Bangladesh after they lost a Test at home against The Tigers recently. Eventually, the Baggy Greens won the 2nd Test to level the series, but Cummins vowed extra attention on Tests, be it at the cost of skipping ODIs."I think I'll be part of at least some of it. I'm not sure I should say this, but think the focus is on the Test series. So a lot of the white-ball [series], and how we play that, would be with an eye to the red ball," Cummins said after squaring the Test series against Bangladesh with a two-day win in Mackay.Australia's Bowling Options In Pat Cummins' AbsenceAustralia were without Pat Cummins against Zimbabwe as well and the Aussie seamers were on point. The Men in Yellow have Nathan Ellis, who is in fine form and took 9 wickets in 3 matches, including a five-wicket haul in the 1st ODI.Further, they have Xavier Bartlett in the mix to pair up with Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc. Recently, Cricket Australia also recalled Jack Edwards to the squad following Billy Stanlake's injury.Australian fast bowler Billy Stanlake recently sustained a side strain during the second ODI against Zimbabwe. Stanlake could bowl only 4.2 overs before leaving the field. In another development, Spencer Johnson has been released from the main squad and asked to join the Australia-A team for the white-ball series against India-A.Australia's Updated squad To face South Africa: Mitchell Marsh, Pat Cummins (C), Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Joel Davies, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Jack Edwards, Oliver Peake, Matthew Renshaw, Mitchell Starc, Adam ZampaAlso Read: Australia's ODI Record At Kingsmead Durban Ahead Of 1st Match vs South Africa, 2026