SYDNEY: Australia’s captain, Pat Cummins, is facing uncertainty over his participation in the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan, following an ankle injury sustained during the final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India.
According to a report from Cricinfo, Australia confirmed today that Cummins will not be part of the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka. The Australian captain is set to undergo an ankle scan in the coming days, and the results will determine whether he will be fit to lead Australia in the Champions Trophy next month, which will be held in Pakistan and the UAE.
Australia’s chief selector, George Bailey, said, “We will have to wait for Pat’s scan report and see how things unfold from there.”
Cummins played a key role in Australia’s campaign in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, taking 25 wickets at an average of 21.36 across 167 overs in the five-match series against India. His leadership guided Australia to victory in the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in India. However, since then, he has only played two One Day Internationals.
The Champions Trophy 2025 is scheduled to begin on February 22, with Australia’s opening match against England. Before that, Australia will play a solitary ODI against Sri Lanka on February 13, following their Test series against the Sri Lankan team, which will serve as valuable preparation for the Champions Trophy.
Meanwhile, fast bowler Josh Hazlewood is hopeful of returning to the squad for the Champions Trophy after recovering from a minor injury during the Brisbane Test against India. Bailey confirmed that Hazlewood has fully recovered and is working hard on his rehabilitation.
Australia’s squad for the Sri Lanka tour includes Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, and Sean Abbott, with Abbott potentially set to make his Test debut.
