AUS vs OMAN: Did Australia drop Pat Cummins from playing 11? Why World Cup-winning captain did not play?

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AUS vs OMAN: Pat Cummins was not included in Australia's playing 11 for their opening match of the T20 World Cup 2024 against Oman in Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados on Thursday, June 6.

After Oman won the toss and opted to bowl first, Australia captain Mitchell Marsh revealed that Pat Cummins, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis and Ashton Agar would be the four players who would sit out.

Nathan Ellis was named in Australia's playing eleven alongside two other specialist pacers Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood. Marcus Stoinis was also there to play the role of the fourth seamer.

Marsh did not give any reason but Australia World Cup and WTC-winning captain Pat Cummins was not included to give him a prolonged rest after his long IPL 2024 campaign with Sunrisers Hyderabad. The Australia superstar led SRH to the final against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Chennai on May 26.

Cummins linked up with the Australian team late, and travelled a long way to the West Indies. The management very likely opted to not risk Pat Cummins against a weak opposition in Oman.

Captain Mitchell Marsh could also have helped Australia in the seam department, however he is still not fit to bowl and would play the initial few matches in the T20 World Cup 2024 as a specialist batter. He suffered a hamstring injury during IPL 2024.

The likes of Travis Head (12), Marsh (14) and Glenn Maxwell (0) were dismissed early in the match and Australia were left reeling at 50/3 in 8.3 overs. David Warner and Marcus Stoinis forged a partnership to resurrect the Australia innings.

Australia playing 11 vs Oman: David Warner, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh(c), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Matthew Wade(w), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood