Cummins called in Starc's replacement for remaining India Tests

Right-arm Australian pacer Pat Cummins have been called in as replacement for injured Mitchell Starc for the remaining two Test of the ongoing Border Gavaskar Trophy.

"In selecting Pat, we were looking for a strike bowling replacement option," ESPNcricinfo quoted Cricket Australia chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns as saying.

"Pat has impressed in his return to cricket this summer with consistent performances in his ODI, Twenty20 International and Big Bash matches."

"He has also had a very good Sheffield Shield return for New South Wales, after six years off, where he made a notable Shield best 4-57 in the first innings, before bettering those figures in the second innings with 4-47 in his man-of-the-match performance," he added.

In a major blow to the Steve Smith led-side, Starc was yesterday ruled out of the last two Tests after suffering from a fracture in his right leg. The pace spearhead is the second Australian to be ruled out of the tour after all-rounder Mitchell Marsh.

The left-arm pacer had picked up a stress fracture in his right foot during the second Test in Bengaluru, which Australia went on to lose by 75 runs.

Cummins, if included in the Ranchi game beginning March 16, will play for the first time since his memorable debut against South Africa in Johannesburg in 2011. In that match, he took seven wickets.

The four-match series is currently leveled at 1-1 with the visitors having won the first Test by 333 runs. However, the Virat Kohli led-side came back strongly and defeated Australia by 75 runs in the second Test played at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.