Cummins unlikely for Champions Trophy as Australia considers Head, Smith for captaincy

Australia is facing a major setback ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy as captain Pat Cummins is highly unlikely to participate due to an ongoing ankle issue. Head coach Andrew McDonald has revealed that Steve Smith and Travis Head are the frontrunners for the captaincy in Cummins’ absence.

Cummins, who missed the Sri Lanka Test tour due to the birth of his second child, has been managing an ankle injury that resulted from his heavy workload during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The Australian skipper bowled 167 overs—the most by any bowler in the series—taking 25 wickets at an average of 21.36. However, he has not resumed any form of bowling, making his availability for the Champions Trophy highly uncertain.

Australia’s ODI squad members who are not involved in the Sri Lanka Test series are set to fly to the island nation for two ODIs, but Cummins will not be among them. Adding to Australia’s concerns, fast bowler Josh Hazlewood is also in a race against time to be fit for the tournament. Hazlewood, who previously missed three Tests in India and the Sri Lanka Test series due to side and calf injuries, is now dealing with a hip issue.

Coach McDonald, speaking to SEN, confirmed that Australia is actively considering leadership alternatives. “Pat Cummins has not been able to resume any type of bowling, so he is heavily unlikely, so that would mean that we do need a captain,” he stated. “Steve Smith and Travis Head are the two that we have been having conversations with while we have been building out that Champions Trophy team along with Pat back home. They will be the two that we look at for that leadership post.”

McDonald acknowledged Smith’s previous captaincy experience and Head’s rising stature as a leader, making them the most suitable options. “They are the two obvious ones. Steve has done a great job in the first Test. He has done some good work in one-day international cricket across the journey as well. So it is between those two,” he added.

Apart from Cummins and Hazlewood, Australia is dealing with multiple injuries among its all-rounders. Mitchell Marsh has already been ruled out of the Champions Trophy with a back injury, although he is expected to play for Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League later. A replacement for him has not been confirmed, but McDonald mentioned that all-rounder Beau Webster could be added to the ODI squad against Sri Lanka due to his seam-bowling skills.

Meanwhile, other seam-bowling all-rounders, Aaron Hardie and Marcus Stoinis, are also battling fitness concerns. Hardie struggled with quad issues throughout the summer and has only recently resumed bowling, while Stoinis suffered hamstring tightness while playing for Durban Super Giants in the ongoing SA20 tournament.

With Cummins and Hazlewood likely to be unavailable, fast bowler Sean Abbott could make his return to the ODI squad after being left out initially due to poor form. Additionally, Spencer Johnson, who was set to travel to Sri Lanka as cover for the ODI squad, could also be in contention for a place in the Champions Trophy squad.

Australia will open their Champions Trophy campaign with a high-stakes clash against England in Lahore on February 22, followed by matches against South Africa on February 25 and Afghanistan on February 28 in Rawalpindi.

Australia preliminary squad for Champions Trophy: Pat Cummins (c), Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.