Pat Cummins in staggering million dollar call on cricket future

Pat Cummins has decided to put his country first in a stunning sacrifice that looks set to cost him more than $1 million dollars.

The 29-year-old fast bowler - who is captain of both Australia's ODI and Test side - has announced on social media that he is pulling out of next year's Indian Premier League (IPL) due to workload concerns.

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Cummins was bought by the Kolkata Knight Riders this year for $AUD1.34 million but has opted to forgo his lucrative contract for the upcoming edition of India's domestic Twenty20 tournament.

The decision comes after he was elevated to the captaincy of Australia's one-day team, with a World Cup in India at the end of next year.

Australia also have a four-Test tour in India next February and March before the IPL, while a five-Test Ashes series in England and potential World Test Championship final follow.

It follows a similar move from fellow Aussie quick Mitchell Starc, who has long prioritised his fitness for Australia over the riches of the IPL.

The pair have also rarely played in the Big Bash League at home, citing the same reasons.

"I've made the difficult decision to miss next years IPL," Cummins tweeted on Tuesday morning.

"The international schedule is packed with Tests and ODI's for the next 12 months, so will take some rest ahead of an Ashes series and World Cup."

Cummins' workload had been a major talking point before he was handed both the Test and ODI captaincy, with the quick still featuring in all three formats for Australia.

"Thanks so much to @KKRiders for their understanding. Such a terrific team of players and staff and I hope I can get back there ASAP," Cummins added on Twitter alongside a pair of purple love heart emojis.

Cricket fans took to social media to react to the Cummins news, with many praising him for the "sensible" decision to focus on his international career for Australia.

Pat Cummins puts Australia first amid packed schedule

Cummins' decision comes on the eve of an ODI series starting Thursday against England, who have a number of players backing up from Sunday night's T20 World Cup final triumph against Pakistan.

The Aussie skipper will lead his side in both the ODI series and the upcoming nine-Test summer, after selectors decided against putting the fast bowler on ice for the one-dayers.

Australia's three ODIs against England finish just a week before the first Test against West Indies in Perth, with only a three-day gap between that and the Adelaide Test.

Three red-ball matches against South Africa will quickly follow in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney, before a four-Test series in India in February.

Selectors opted to keep faith with Australia's Test squad after Australia's Test squad after making no changes made from last summer's team.

Marcus Harris remains as part of the red-ball group as the back-up batsman after his strong start to the Sheffield Shield season, while Scott Boland is the fourth quick.

But the interesting point will remain the management of the bowlers, with Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood all named in both the ODI and Test squads.

Harris's selection in the Test squad comes after he lost his spot at the top of the order after last year's Boxing Day match.

He remained in the squad for the tour of Pakistan but did not play, and was overlooked for the Sri Lanka tour.

The left-hander has since hit two centuries to start the domestic summer with Victoria, after 726 runs at an average of 42.7 in County cricket.

with AAP

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