Australia captain Pat Cummins likely to be ruled out for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

The Australian cricket team skipper Pat Cummins is unlikely to feature in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. It will be a huge setback for Australia as they already lost the services of Mitchell Marsh.

Steve Smith and Travis Head are likely to take the charge while Josh Hazelwood is still battling to get fit on time. Pat Cummins led his side to defeat India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy by 4-1.

The Australian coach Andrew McDonald confirmed this as he told SEN, “Pat Cummins hasn’t been able to resume any type of bowling so he’s heavily unlikely, so that would mean that we do need a captain.”

“Steve Smith and Travis Head are the two that we’ve been having conversations with while we’ve been building out that Champions Trophy team along with Pat (Cummins) back home. They’ll be the two that we look at for that leadership post, ” he added.

While the medical information is yet to be cleared, Andrew McDonald also claimed, “But, as it said, Patty is hugely unlikely, which is a bit of shame and we’ve also got Josh Hazelwood,  who is battling at the moment. So that medical information will land over the next couple of days and we’ll be able to shore that up and let everyone know the direction.”

The right-arm pacer Josh Hazelwood is yet to recover from his hip issue as he already gone through side and calf injuries during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Mitchell Marsh’s absence will also impact Australia if they fail to get a replacement for him.

However, Sean Abbott might get a chance in the ODI squad as they already lacking the services of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazelwood. It will be a great challenge to the Australian selectors as they will be watching closely on Josh Hazelwood’s fitness ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.