Change of plans for rested Cummins

UPDATE: Star quick Pat Cummins will remain in Dubai after Jason Behrendorff was ruled out of the fourth ODI with illness. A decision on Cummins' travel plans will be made on Saturday. 

Cummins was set to miss the remaining two ODIs against Pakistan and return home to rest ahead of the World Cup.

Cummins sat out the opening two matches of the series in the UAE and returned to the side in Wednesday’s third match, taking three wickets as Australia grabbed an unassailable 3-0 series lead.

With the series already secure and a World Cup and Ashes double beginning in a little more than two months, the Aussies are taking no risks with their key player.

Cummins could join fellow quick Jhye Richardson in returning home from the UAE early after the WA paceman injured his shoulder in Sharjah.

Australia will had just two frontline quicks to choose from for the final two matches of the series in Dubai; Nathan Coulter-Nile and Kane Richardson, with Behrendorff succumbing to illness. 

There is no suggestion Cummins is anything but fully fit, but selectors have decided to play it safe with a man who looms as critical to their chances of success in England later this year.

Australia have played just two frontline quicks in each of the first three matches alongside spinners Adam Zampa and Nathan Lyon, but the exit of Cummins gives Coulter-Nile, Behrendorff and Richardson a chance to impress ahead of the announcement of Australia’s World Cup squad next month.

Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, who missed the series due to injury, are both expected to be fit for the tournament, as is Richardson, who received good news on his injured shoulder on Thursday.

"Everyone in the Australian camp is hopeful, I'm hopeful and in high spirits," Richardson said yesterday after scans ruled out any bone damage.

"I'm not ruling out the World Cup at this stage, that's definitely not an option.

"It's all about getting the shoulder right at this stage.

"JL (Justin Langer) said he's pleased with how I've been going about my business, I was really satisfied with how I played in India and going into the Pakistan series as well I was happy with the way I was playing.

"The shoulder injury is unfortunate, but these things do happen and I'm eager to bounce back quickly."

Qantas Tour of the UAE

First ODI: Australia won by eight wickets

Second ODI: Australia won by eight wickets

Third ODI: Australia won by 80 runs

Fourth ODI: v Pakistan, March 29 in Dubai

Fifth ODI: v Pakistan, March 31 in Dubai

(all matches begin at 10pm AEDT)