Australia will go into the upcoming Champions Trophy in Pakistan and Dubai without Pat Cummins, the all-format captain who led them to victory in the World Test Champions and the 2023 ODI World Cup in India.
Australia head coach Andrew McDonald said on Wednesday that Cummins and fast-bowler Josh Hazlewood are unlikely to take part in the upcoming Champions Trophy as they are still dealing with their injury problems.
Cummins missed the ongoing Test tour of Sri Lanka due to the birth of his second child, but has been nursing left ankle soreness after leading Australia to a 3-1 win over India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.
Hazlewood is dealing with a hip injury after recovering from the side strain and calf injuries that saw him being ruled out action after the Brisbane Test against India in December last year.
McDonald also said Steve Smith and Travis Head are in the frame to captain Australia in the Champions Trophy, starting on February 19.
Pat Cummins hasn't been able to resume any 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 back home. They'll be the two that we look at for that leadership post. They're the two obvious ones. Steve has done a great job here in the (first) Test match.
He's done some good work in one-day international cricket across the journey as well. So it's between those two. But, as I said, Patty is hugely unlikely, which is a bit of shame, and we've also got Josh Hazlewood, who is battling (to be fit) 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.
Australia have recently lost all-rounder Mitchell Marsh due to a back injury,. The absence of Cummins and Hazlewood means they will be having three new players in their squad for the Champions Trophy.
Teams have until February 12 to submit their final squads of 15 to the ICC. Australia are drawn in Group B of the Champions Trophy alongside Afghanistan, England and South Africa.
Australia will begin their Champions Trophy campaign against England on February 22 at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.