Pat Cummins Likely to Miss Champions Trophy, Josh Hazlewood Also in Doubt
Melbourne: Australia’s Champions Trophy campaign has suffered a major setback, with captain Pat Cummins highly unlikely to participate due to an ankle injury. Head coach Andrew McDonald confirmed on Wednesday that Cummins has not resumed bowling, making his selection doubtful.
Pat Cummins’ Injury and Captaincy Decision
Cummins, who missed the Sri Lanka Test series for the birth of his second child, has been struggling with an ankle issue since Australia’s Test series win over India last month.
Speaking to SEN Radio, McDonald stated:
“Pat Cummins hasn’t been able to resume any type of bowling, so he’s heavily unlikely. That means we do need a captain. Steve Smith and Travis Head are the two players we’re considering for the leadership role as we finalize the squad.”
Josh Hazlewood’s Fitness Concerns
Adding to Australia’s injury woes, Josh Hazlewood remains uncertain for the tournament. The pacer missed three out of five Tests against India and was also unavailable for the Sri Lanka tour due to side and calf injuries. McDonald said that Hazlewood’s fitness status would be reviewed in the coming days based on medical reports.
Mitchell Marsh Already Ruled Out
Australia will also be without all-rounder Mitchell Marsh, who has been ruled out of the Champions Trophy 2025 due to a back injury.
The tournament, scheduled to start on February 19, will be co-hosted by Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Key Takeaways:
- Pat Cummins is unlikely to play in the Champions Trophy due to an ankle injury.
- Steve Smith and Travis Head are in contention for captaincy.
- Josh Hazlewood remains doubtful, with a final decision pending medical updates.
- Mitchell Marsh is confirmed to miss the tournament due to a back injury.
Stay tuned for more updates on Australia’s squad selection and the latest developments ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025.
Tags:
cricket, Champions Trophy, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Marsh, Australian cricket, Steve Smith, Travis Head, cricket news, ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Australia squad, cricket injuries, Australia captain, Pakistan UAE Champions Trophy.
Disclaimer: Above information have been gathered from various newspapers and published for information purpose only.
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