February 5, 2025: Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins is highly unlikely to feature in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy due to an ongoing ankle issue, according to coach Andrew McDonald. Cummins, who missed the Sri Lanka Test tour due to the birth of his second child, has been dealing with an ankle injury exacerbated by his heavy workload during the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy. In that series, Cummins bowled 167 overs and took 25 wickets at an impressive average of 21.36, making him the highest bowler in terms of overs bowled.
McDonald confirmed that Cummins had not resumed bowling and was unlikely to recover in time for the Champions Trophy. This has led to discussions regarding who will take up the captaincy role in his absence. Steve Smith and Travis Head are the frontrunners for the position, with both players having substantial leadership experience in various formats. Smith has previously captained Australia in Tests and ODIs, while Head has impressed with his leadership skills.
McDonald revealed that the team has already had conversations with both Smith and Head regarding the captaincy role as part of the build-up to the Champions Trophy. He acknowledged Smith’s strong performance in the recent Test match and his history of leadership in ODI cricket, making him one of the obvious choices alongside Head.
Apart from Cummins, Australia’s injury concerns extend to key pacer Josh Hazlewood, who is also doubtful for the Champions Trophy due to a hip issue that surfaced following his recovery from previous side and calf injuries. The medical team will provide updates in the coming days regarding Hazlewood’s fitness.
Australia also faces challenges in the all-rounder department, with Mitchell Marsh set to miss the Champions Trophy due to a back injury. However, he is expected to feature in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with Lucknow Super Giants later in the year. The team is exploring potential replacements for Marsh, with all-rounder Beau Webster being considered for the ODI squad against Sri Lanka due to his seam bowling abilities. Other all-rounders, such as Aaron Hardie and Marcus Stoinis, are also struggling with injuries, which has raised concerns over Australia’s all-round depth heading into the Champions Trophy.
The absence of Cummins and Hazlewood could open the door for seamers like Sean Abbott, who could make a return to the ODI setup after missing out earlier due to poor form. Spencer Johnson, who was initially set to travel as cover for the squad, could also be considered for selection. The Australian team is eagerly awaiting medical updates to finalize their squad for the prestigious tournament.