Cummins to skip IPL to “rest” ahead of 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Pat Cummins has withdrawn from the Indian Premier League (IPL) because of the “packed” international schedule.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 March 25.

The Australian Test captain has also taken over his country’s One-Day International (ODI) side after Aaron Finch’s retirement.

“The international schedule is packed with Tests and ODIs for the next 12 months,” he wrote on social media.

“I will take some rest ahead of an Ashes series and World Cup.”

Australia have a 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.

Before all that, Australia face England in a three-match ODI series, which starts on Thursday in Adelaide. That opening match comes just four days after Sunday’s T20 World Cup final and England all-rounder Moeen Ali has described the timing of the series as “horrible”.

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England batter Sam Billings has also withdrawn from the IPL, saying he wants to focus on the County Championship with Kent. (BBC Sport)