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Australia’s head coach Andrew McDonald confirmed Pat Cummins is unlikely to take part in the 2025 Champions Trophy due to an ankle injury.
Pat Cummins is dealing with an ankle injury. (AFP Photo)
Australia are in hint for a new captain for the 2025 Champions Trophy with head coach Andrew McDonald confirming that Pat Cummins is ‘heavily unlikely’ to feature in the marquee tournament starting February 19. Cummins has an ankle issue which means either Steve Smith or Travis Head could be asked to lead Australia at the Champions Trophy.
The 31-year-old Cummins also skipped Australia’s ongoing tour of Sri Lanka due to the birth of his child, but he’s been also dealing with the ankle injury.
In the lead up to the Champions Trophy, Australia will play two ODIs against Sri Lanka and the members of the limited-overs squad are set to leave for the island nation on Thursday.
“Pat Cummins hasn’t been able to resume any type of bowling so he’s heavily unlikely, so that would mean that we do need a captain,” McDonald told SEN. “Steve Smith and Travis Head are the two that we’ve been having conversations with while we’ve been building out that Champions Trophy team along with Pat back home. They’ll be the two that we look at for that leadership post.”
“They’re the two obvious ones. Steve has done a great job here in the [first] Test match. He’s done some good work in one-day international cricket across the journey as well. So it’s between those two,” he added.
Cummins led Australia to title win at the 2023 World Test Championship final followed by the 2023 ODI World Cup in India. Under him, Australia recently recaptured the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time in nearly a decade.
In addition to Cummins, Australia are also sweating over the fitness of fast bowler Josh Hazlewood who has picked up a fresh injury after recovering from calf and side concerns which limited his participation to two Tests in the BGT.
“…Patty is hugely unlikely, which is a bit of shame, and we’ve also got Josh Hazlewood, who is battling at the moment. So that medical information will land over the next couple of days and we’ll be able to shore that up and let everyone know the direction,” McDonald said.
Australia have been dealt a series of injury blows ahead of Champions Trophy with star allrounder Mitchell Marsh already ruled out because of a back issue.
Australia have been grouped alongside England, South Africa and Afghanistan in Group of the tournament and begin their campaign on February 22.
