Starc has done a turnaround from a below-average performance at the ICC T20 World Cup, and is now averaging more than 50 with the bat and less than 20 with the ball, which could earn him a batting order promotion at the SCG.

Cummins' statement came three days after Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley refrained from commenting on the issue of Langer's contract extension.

Cummins had gone out for a dinner with his friend Harry Conway, who plays for BBL franchise Adelaide Strikersk, at a restuarant in Adelaide ahead of the second Test when a patron at the nearby table was identified as a Covid positive case.

Cummins had been unavailable for the ongoing second Test after being deemed a close contact of a person who had tested positive for COVID-19, while Hazlewood was ruled out of the ongoing match with a side strain he sustained in the series opener at the Gabba.

Cummins had dined with fellow New South Wales and Adelaide Strikers fast bowler Harry Conway at Little Hunter Steakhouse on the eve of the ongoing Test following which he was replaced by Michael Neser in the Playing XI.  

Cricket Australia said South Australia (state) Health confirmed that Cummins was a close contact and will be required to isolate for seven days. It said Cummins should be available for the third test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground starting Dec. 26.

Cummins' first match as the Test captain of Australia was a memorable one, picking his first five-wicket haul against England.

Australia's new captain Cummins said that Head is set to be picked ahead of Usman Khawaja while Starc will bowl with the new ball.

Cummins was made Australia's 47th Test captain ahead of Ashes series after Tim Paine stepped down last week and took an indefinite break from cricket following the 'sexting scandal'.

Former skipper Steve Smith returns from leadership wilderness to become the team's vice-captain.

In the summit clash, Australia outclassed New Zealand by eight wickets with seven balls to spare while chasing a target of 173.

Cummins is currently serving as the vice-captain of Australia in all formats since 2019. The last time a pacer captained Australia, it was Ray Lindwall for a single Test in 1956.

IPL 2021's remaining matches will begin immediately after India's tour of England in mid-September and run till mid-October when the T20 World Cup is scheduled to start.

Following the abrupt halt of IPL 2021 a month ago, Australian players -- including coaches and commentators -- were finally reunited with their families almost a month later after they exited the hotel quarantine.

England star Ben Stokes was the only all-rounder in Cummins' side and the Aussie pacer assigned wicketkeeping duties to India's Rishabh Pant. 

With the IPL 2021 resumption slated in the UAE from September, BCCI was handed another blow as star Australian pacer has reportedly decided not to play in the remaining Kolkata Knight Riders' matches.

With no cricket for up to a month before they fly to West Indies for two white-ball series, the Aussies are discovering novel ways, including using towels, to keep fit during the phase.

28-year-old Cummins, who has returned from India following postponement of Indian Premier League (IPL) and is quarantining here, added that bowling on Indian pitches is a challenge to which a pacer has to adjust.

Cummins, who was last seen in action during the recently-suspended IPL 2021, conducted a Question & Answer session on his YouTube channel.

IPL was postponed earlier this month following the emergence of Covid-19 cases in the bio-secure environment of the league.