Pat Cummins, Australia Cricket Team’s Captain, is not sure whether he will be part of the Champions Trophy or not as he is recovering from an ankle injury during the Test series against India.
Cummins will not be able to participate in the Two-Test tour of Sri Lanka (paternity leave), as it is confirmed news. In the coming days, he will also undergo medical scans of his ankle so that it can be finalised that he will lead his team in the Champions Trophy, which is going to happen in Pakistan and UAE next month.
“We’ll have to wait and see when that scan comes back and see how it’s tracking,” chair of selectors George Bailey said. “There’s a little bit of work to do. We’ll probably get a bit more information around where that’s at.”
During the five Tests against India, Cummins bowled a total of 167 overs, which is the highest by an Australian bowler. He took a total of 25 wickets at an average of 21.36.
Australia will play their first match of the Champions Trophy against England on February 22, and after the Test series they have to play a one-off ODI in Sri Lanka on February 13, as a part of their preparation.
Pat Cummins has remained one of the best captains of Australia as the team have won the title of ODI World Cup 2023 in November under his leadership against India but after that he has only played two ODI’s due to heavy workload. Australia has also won the World Test Championship by defeating India in Lord’s last year under his captaincy.
Australia have availed many stand-in captains in that period. Steven Smith led the team last season against West Indies before Mitchell Marsh played the role of captain against England. Josh Inglis, earlier this summer against Pakistan, led the team in the final ODI in Perth.
Josh Hazlewood is being considered to make his comeback in the Champions Trophy after his careful recovery from calf injury. Due to this injury he was not able to play the India series. His previous injury issues led selectors to make a cautious strategy regarding his good health conditions.
“Josh is working really hard and all the news of how he’s responding to his recovery from the calf injury is coming along really well,” Bailey said. “It’s just probably a little bit tight, given the amount of time that he would have missed and also with how we may structure up and the loads those quicks may be put under.”
Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland are selected as key players alongside Sean Abbott also included in the squad for the upcoming Sri Lanka series, starting from January 29, 2025, consisting of two Test matches. Abbott will have his Test debut in this series, his capabilities and consistent performance made his selection to the squad.
“In Sean’s favour, given outside of the conditions that we expect to face, he’s just robust,” Bailey said. “We know he can put a heavy body of work in should he be required.”
