news

Pat Cummins likely to miss ICC Champions Trophy 2025

McDonald said that further medical updates on Cummins would be available in the coming days

Pat Cummins likely to miss ICC Champions Trophy 2025 PHOTO: X

Australia's captain, Pat Cummins, is likely to miss the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 due to an ongoing ankle injury. Cummins has been struggling with the injury, which flared up after a heavy workload in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and he has been unable to resume bowling. 

Coach Andrew McDonald revealed that while Australia's ODI players are scheduled to fly out to Sri Lanka on Thursday, Cummins will  unlikely not be part of the squad. McDonald said that Cummins' absence would require the team to find a new captain. 

"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 told. 

"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," he added. 

Smith, who has captained Australia in the past, is seen as a strong contender, especially after his recent leadership in the first Test match. Travis Head is also in the frame, with both players being part of ongoing discussions about the captaincy.

The coach also confirmed that pacer Josh Hazlewood, who is dealing with a hip issue, is another key player battling fitness ahead of the tournament. Hazlewood missed part of the Test series against India due to previous injuries and is working on his recovery. McDonald said that further medical updates on Hazlewood and Cummins would be available in the coming days.

Mitchell Marsh, another key player, has already been ruled out of the Champions Trophy due to a back injury. He is not expected to play in the remainder of the domestic season, though there remains a chance he could participate in the IPL for the Lucknow Super Giants.

With Marsh unavailable, selectors are considering alternatives to fill his spot. Beau Webster, an uncapped ODI player, is a potential addition to the squad. The selectors are also evaluating seam-bowling allrounders, with Aaron Hardie and Marcus Stoinis already in the squad but both carrying injury concerns. Hardie recently returned to bowling after dealing with quad issues, while Stoinis has been troubled by hamstring tightness.

In the absence of Cummins and Hazlewood, Sean Abbott is expected to be recalled to the ODI squad, after missing out on the original Champions Trophy selection due to his recent form. Spencer Johnson is also being considered as cover for the squad.

Legspinner Tanveer Sangha, who was flown to Sri Lanka ahead of the second Test, could also play a role in the ODI in Colombo before the Champions Trophy. However, he is likely to be a reserve player for the tournament, as Australia currently has only one specialist spinner, Adam Zampa, in their squad.