New Delhi: Steve Smith will lead Australia in the fourth and final Test against India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy as the regular captain Pat Cummins remains with his unwell mother back home. Smith led the Australian side in Indore in Cummins’ absence. Cummins had flown back home after the Delhi Test to be with his mother who is in palliative care.

According to Cricket.com.au, Cummins will remain in Sydney. Three ODIs follow the final Test and a decision on Cummins’ participation in those games will be taken later, as reported by PTI.

Smith had captained Australia to a nine-wicket victory over the hosts in Indore last week. India leads the series 2-1 and needs a win the final Test to qualify for the World Test Championship final. Australia secured their qualification for the WTC summit clash in London in June with the win in Indore. The website also reported that Nathan Ellis has replaced injured Jhye Richardson in the Australia squad for ODIs beginning March 17.

Australia has been a dominant side in the ongoing World Test Championship cycle, winning 11 out of 18 contests. Presently placed at top of the standings with 68.52 per cent of their possible WTC points, Australia will remain at first regardless of the remaining results in the event.