Australia To Miss Pat Cummins For Champions Trophy 2025? This Veteran To Lead

Australia’s regular ODI captain, Pat Cummins, is unlikely to feature in the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to begin on February 19.

He has been suffering from a long-term ankle issue, while Josh Hazlewood is also racing against time, according to coach Andre McDonald.

Cummins missed the Test tour of Sri Lanka due to the birth of his second child. But, he has also been nursing his ankle issue that increased due to the heavy workload in the BGT 2024-25.

Travis Head or Steve Smith to lead Australia in Pat Cummins’ absence

Australia’s ODI players, who are not part of the red-ball trip, are due to arrive on the Island on Thursday (March 06), but McDonald revealed Cummins’ absence.

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If the New South Wales pacer misses out on the ICC event, then one of Travis Head or Steve Smith is expected to replace him in the leadership department.

“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 back home. They'll be the two that we look at for that leadership post.” McDonald told SEN Cricket.

“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.” Australia’s head coach addressed in the presser.

Tanveer Sangha flies to Sri Lanka for ODI series

Josh Hazlewood is also dealing with a hip issue after recovering from side and calf injuries that pushed him to miss the India and Sri Lanka trip.

Mitchell Marsh has already been out of the ICC event due to a back injury and is unlikely to play the remainder of the season, along with the IPL 2025.

Tanveer Sangha has flown to Sri Lanka ahead of the second Test. McDonald claimed that he could play a part in the two 50-over games in Colombo before the team flies to Lahore.

Australia is yet to name the replacement of Marsh, as their head coach confirmed Beau Webster, who debuted in the red-ball format in Sydney, has a chance to get the nod.

The selectors aim to add a seam-bowling option. Aaron Hardie and Marcus Stoinis are injury-prone and suffered recent issues in their respective departments.

Spencer Johson ahead to replace Josh Hazlewood

The absence of Cummins and Hazlewood will open the door for Sean Abbott to return to the ODI frame after missing the Champions Trophy squad selectors due to their recent form. The left-arm pacer, Spencer Johnson, is also ahead in the selection process as he will come to Sri Lanka as cover for the 50-over squad.

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Abbott has featured in 26 ODIs for Australia to celebrate 29 wickets at an average of 39.37 and a strike rate of 39.37.

With the bat, he smashed 352 runs at a strike rate of 98.59. Sangha appears to be the likely reserve player, as he was in India for the 2023 ODI World Cup. Australia has just one specialist spinner in Adam Zampa in their 15.

It will be a challenge for the selectors to put their best possible playing eleven for the two-match ODI series opener.

There is only one travel day scheduled between the fifth day and the first ODI, with the members of Head, Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey, and Mitchell Starc set to play the second Test.

Their first game of the Champions Trophy is against England at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.