Australia is facing a major setback ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, with captain Pat Cummins likely to miss the tournament due to an ongoing ankle injury.
Cummins, who has been struggling with the issue since the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India, has yet to resume bowling, putting his participation in serious doubt.
Head coach Andrew McDonald confirmed that while Australia’s ODI squad is set to depart for Sri Lanka on Thursday, Cummins is “heavily unlikely” to be part of the touring party.
His absence means the team will need a new captain, with Steve Smith and Travis Head emerging as the frontrunners for the leadership role.
“Pat Cummins hasn’t been able to resume any type of bowling, so he’s heavily unlikely. That means we do need a captain,” McDonald said.
“Steve Smith and Travis Head are the two we’ve been having conversations with while building out the Champions Trophy team along with Pat back home. They’re the obvious choices for the leadership role.”
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It’s worth noting that Pat Cummins isn’t the only fitness concern for Australia ahead of the Champions Trophy as fast bowler Josh Hazlewood is also battling an injury, dealing with a hip issue that kept him out of part of the Test series against India.
Hazlewood’s availability for the Champions Trophy remains uncertain, with further medical updates expected in the coming days.
Meanwhile, all-rounder Mitchell Marsh has already been ruled out of the tournament due to a back injury.
He is unlikely to feature in the remainder of the domestic season, though there is still a possibility that he could return for the IPL, where he plays for the Lucknow Super Giants.
With Marsh sidelined, selectors are weighing up their options for his replacement. Uncapped ODI player Beau Webster is in contention while seam-bowling all-rounders Aaron Hardie and Marcus Stoinis are already in the squad but carrying their own injury concerns.
In Cummins and Hazlewood’s absence, Sean Abbott is expected to be recalled to the ODI squad of Australia after missing out on the initial Champions Trophy selection.
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