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South Africa series: Cummins called up, Johnson rested

November 17, 2014 11:31 IST

Patrick Cummins of Australia

Patrick Cummins of Australia warms up. Photograph: Morne de Klerk/Getty Images

Australia fast bowler Pat Cummins has been called into the squad for the remainder of the One-day series against South Africa to give Mitchell Johnson time to rest up before next month's Test series against India.

Injury-prone Cummins returned to international cricket for the first time in two years in the Twenty20 matches against the Proteas that preceded the One-day series and will now get his chance to bid for a spot at next year's World Cup.

Cummins was still a teenager when he exploded onto the Test cricket arena with figures of 6-79 to lead Australia to a two-wicket victory over South Africa at Wanderers in November 2011.

Left arm paceman Mitchell Starc was also recalled along with spinner Xavier Doherty, who was deemed surplus to requirements in the first two matches on the pace-friendly WACA pitch in Perth.

Australia won the first match by 32 runs on Friday but were beaten by three wickets in Sunday's second encounter, leaving the series tied at 1-1 going into the final three matches in Canberra on Wednesday, Melbourne on Friday and Sydney on Sunday.

Australia captain Michael Clarke will play no further part in the series after aggravating a hamstring injury in the first match and will be replaced as skipper by George Bailey.

James Faulkner will miss the third match to play Sheffield Shield cricket before returning for the final two matches, when his fellow all rounder Mitchell Marsh will head off to get some red ball practice with Western Australia.

Squad: George Bailey (captain), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Xavier Doherty, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Shane Watson.

Source: REUTERS
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