Australia captain Pat Cummins is doubtful to play in the Champions Trophy. It was disclosed that he had been dealing with an ankle issue during the Test series against India. Cummins’ absence from the two-Test tour of Sri Lanka due to paternity leave was confirmed on Thursday. He will have ankle tests in the next few days to see if he can lead the side in the Champions Trophy.
It is to be played in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates next month. Since winning the 50-over World Cup in 2023, Australia has had its sights set on the Champions Trophy. So Pat Cummins’ absence would be a huge setback. Since 2009, Australia has not won the tournament; instead, India and Pakistan have won the last two editions. Australia’s vice-captain in the one-day format is Mitch Marsh, who has assumed the full-time position in T20Is.
During the five Test matches against India, Cummins took 25 wickets at 21.36 and sent down 167 overs. It was the most by an Australian bowler. Australia’s preparations include a one-off ODI in Sri Lanka on February 13 following the Test series. Their Champions Trophy opener against England on February 22. Due to workload management, Cummins has only featured in two ODI World Cup matches since leading Australia to victory in India in 2023.
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During that time, Australia utilised a number of stand-in captains. Before Mitchell Marsh took over in England. Steven Smith captained the team against the West Indies the previous season. Smith again filled in for the series’ final game. Josh Inglis captained the team in the final ODI in Perth earlier this summer against Pakistan.
Josh Hazlewood, on the other hand, is being targeted for a Champions Trophy comeback. After the selectors were careful in his recovery from the calf injury that ended his India series following Brisbane, which was a comeback match following a side issue. Chair of selectors George Bailey said, “We’ll have to wait and see when that scan comes back and see how it’s tracking.”
