It is still unknown how serious Cummins’ injury is

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Australia pace bowler Pat Cummins is likely to miss the national team’s World Cup match against Afghanistan after sustaining a side strain.

Cummins suffered the injury during his side’s nail-biting one-wicket loss to New Zealand in Auckland on Saturday.

Cummins will be closely monitored by the national team’s medical staff and could be rested for the game against Afghanistan in order to ensure he is fit for Australia’s match against Sri Lanka on March 8 in Sydney.

The 21-year-old also gave the team management a major scare early on in the match against New Zealand when he slipped while bowling the fourth ball of his first over.

If Cummins is ruled out for the match against Afghanistan, fellow seamer Josh Hazlewood or all-rounder James Faulkner, who has been recovering from a side strain injury, could replace him.