Pat Cummins also sat out Australia's 275-run win over Afghanistan
© AFP
Sydney: Injury-prone Australian paceman Pat Cummins has been ruled out of Sunday's crunch World Cup game with Sri Lanka, captain Michael Clarke said Saturday. (Fixtures | Points Table)
Clarke said Cummins would not be fit enough for the game at the Sydney Cricket Ground after suffering a side strain during Australia's dramatic one-wicket loss to New Zealand in Auckland last weekend.
Cummins, who has played little in the last three Australian seasons with lower back stress fractures, also sat out Australia's 275-run win over Afghanistan in Perth on Wednesday.
The rising fast bowler burst into top-level cricket with a remarkable Test debut in 2011.
He won man-of-the-match honours against South Africa in Johannesburg, which included claiming 6-79 in the second innings and hitting the winning runs in a narrow Australian victory.
He was also sent home from Australia's one-day tour of England in 2012 with a side strain.
But the prognosis was more positive for all-rounder Mitch Marsh, who trained at the SCG on Saturday.
"He had some foot pain. He told me on the field it was his boot," Clarke said. (Clarke Puts his Spin on SCG Pitch for Sri Lanka)
"But as you've seen today, he's batted, bowled and done his fielding.
"I asked him how he was feeling when I walked off from my first bat and he said he's flying and ready to go." (Ponting Says Australia's Batting Exposed Minus Watson)
National selectors have yet to finalise a side for the all-important game which is expected to decide who finishes second in Pool A behind New Zealand.
"Selectors are going to wait until tomorrow before they pick the XI," Clarke told reporters.
"I'd imagine it's to see what the wicket is like tomorrow." (Malinga Feels Rhythm, not Blues, After Surgery)
The winner of Sunday's match will also avoid a likely quarter-final against South Africa and potential semi-final against New Zealand in Auckland.
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