Australia captain Pat Cummins doubtful for ICC Champions Trophy 2025 with ankle injury

Pat Cummins led Australia to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 title in India.

Cricket Australia (CA) has confirmed that skipper Pat Cummins is dealing with an ankle injury ahead of next month’s ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan. The Australian pacer will undergo scans on his sore ankle this week.

Cummins was not named in Australia’s test squad for the Sri Lanka tour as he is expecting birth of his second child during the same time. However, Cricket Australia has now confirmed that the 31-year-old managed his ankle injury throughout the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25, leading Australia to a famous 3-1 win.

Cummins has proven to be a great leader, winning the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, ICC World Test Championship 2021-23 final, and the Ashes 2021. His potential absence in the fast bowling department would add to Australia’s concerns, especially with Josh Hazlewood also doubtful.

George Bailey on Pat Cummins injury

After announcing the test squad for the Sri Lanka tour, national selector George Bailey confirmed Pat Cummins’ injury news to reporters on Thursday, January 9.

Bailey said, “There’s a little bit of work to do, He’s got a little bit of a sore ankle. I think in the next week or so he’s got a scan coming, and we’ll probably get a bit more information around where that’s at.”

If Cummins misses out, Western Australia all-rounder Mitchell Marsh is expected to be named captain for the event. He led Australia in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, where the team failed to reach the semi-finals.

Bailey, however, was optimistic about Josh Hazlewood’s participation in the Champions Trophy.

He said, “He’s working, working really hard, all the news on how he’s responding to his recovery from the calf injury is coming along really well. We’re really confident that he should be fit and raring to go for the Champions Trophy.”

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