Australia Faces Double Blow Ahead of Champions Trophy

Sports Desk

Australia’s plans for the ICC Champions Trophy have suffered a major setback with reports suggesting captain Pat Cummins and key pacer Josh Hazlewood may miss the tournament.

The defending ODI World Champions have already lost experienced all-rounder Mitch Marsh to injury. The potential absence of Cummins and Hazlewood further weakens their bid to claim a third title in the tournament, set to begin on February 19 in Pakistan and Dubai.

Coach Andrew McDonald acknowledged the injury concerns during a briefing on Wednesday, hinting at the need for a new captain if Cummins is unable to recover. “Pat Cummins hasn’t resumed any form of bowling, so his chances of playing are slim, which means we’ll need a new captain,” McDonald said.

He added that Steve Smith and Travis Head are the primary candidates for the role. “We’ve discussed leadership options with both Steve and Travis during the squad selection process. Steve has done a fantastic job in the past, including the Test match against Sri Lanka, while Travis has also shown strong leadership qualities,” he noted.

McDonald expressed regret over Cummins’ likely absence, saying, “It’s unfortunate that Patty’s chances of playing are very slim. Josh Hazlewood is also struggling with fitness, and we’re awaiting medical updates in the coming days to finalize decisions.”

Teams are allowed to make changes to their announced squads without ICC approval until February 12. If Cummins and Hazlewood are ruled out alongside Marsh, Australia will need to find three replacements.

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting recently suggested all-rounder Mitch Owen as a candidate to fill Marsh’s position. For pace options, Sean Abbott and Spencer Johnson are under consideration as potential replacements for Hazlewood and Cummins.

Australia is placed in Group B of the Champions Trophy, alongside Afghanistan, England, and South Africa.