Pat Cummins: Australia Test and ODI captain withdraws from IPL because of "packed" schedule
Fast bowler Pat Cummins says he has withdrawn from the IPL to rest ahead of the Ashes and World Cup
Pat Cummins has
withdrawn from the Indian Premier League (IPL) because of the
"packed" international schedule.
Cummins, 29, was set to play for Kolkata Knight
Riders in the competition that starts on 25 March.
The Australian Test captain has also taken
over his country's one-day international side after Aaron Finch's retirement.
"The international schedule is packed
with Tests and ODIs for the next 12 months," he said on social media.
"I will take some rest ahead of an Ashes
series and World Cup."
Australia have an upcoming Test series against
West Indies in November, before series against South Africa and India precede
the Ashes in July 2023.
The 50-over World Cup follows in India in
October 2023.
Cummins' withdrawal from the tournament comes
after England all-rounder Moeen
Ali described the upcoming ODI series against Australia as
"horrible", with the teams having to play three
matches just four days after the World Cup final.
In the summer, England Test captain Ben Stokes
announced his sudden ODI retirement and said
it should be a "wake-up call" to cricket's authorities.
England
batter Sam Billings has also withdrawn from the IPL, saying
he wants to focus on the County Championship with Kent.
