Legendary pacer Brett Lee has backed Australia national cricket team ODI and Test captain Pat Cummins after he faced criticism for attending a Coldplay concert in Sydney. Ahead of the third ODI against the Pakistan national cricket team, several senior players, including Pat Cummins, were released from the squad, citing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 preparation. With the high-voltage Test series coming up next against the India national cricket team, Cummins decided to take some time off and attended Coldplay's concert with his wife Becky in Sydney. However, former Australia captain Michael Clarke questioned Cricket Australia's (CA) decision to rest several senior players ahead of the Border-Gavakasr Trophy 2024-25. All Eyes on Virat Kohli As He Hits Nets Ahead of Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024–25: Australian Media Reports.
“I’m just a bit confused, so 11 days between now and the first Test, why can’t the Aussie boys who are part of this Test series play in the one-dayer. They are going to go to training and get flogged. If Australia had won the first two games, then you can understand why they rested their big fish, but it was a series on the line. You can’t expect the fans to want and come and watch one-day cricket,” Clarke had told Big Sports Breakfast Radio Show.
After Clarke's comment, former cricketer Brett Lee backed management's decision to rest Cummins for the third ODI against Pakistan. Lee said that there was no harm in attending a Coldplay concert. AUS vs PAK 1st T20I 2024 Preview: Likely Playing XIs, Key Battles, H2H and More About Australia vs Pakistan Cricket Match in Brisbane.
“Nothing wrong with that. I was there (at Coldplay) as well and it was absolutely brilliant. If you’ve got a day off, go to Coldplay, why not?” Lee told Nine’s Today.
Meanwhile, Pakistan won their first ODI series on Australian soil in 22 overs. The two countries will face each other in the upcoming three-match T20I series, starting from November 14.
Australia test and ODI captain Pat Cummins will be next seen in action during the high-profile five-match Test series against the India national cricket team. The much-awaited first Test will be hosted in Perth, starting from November 22. Team India has already arrived in Australia and has begun their training session.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 13, 2024 08:10 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).