Australia’s preparations for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan and UAE have been thrown into uncertainty as captain Pat Cummins waits for scan results to confirm his participation. The ODI World Cup-winning captain is managing an ankle issue sustained during the home summer, and Cricket Australia (CA) is yet to determine the severity of the injury.
Cummins, who played a pivotal role in Australia’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy victory over India earlier this year, was instrumental in helping the team clinch the series after a gap of 10 years. Over the course of the five-match Test series, he took 25 wickets in 167 overs, contributing significantly to Australia’s dominant performance. Despite his crucial role in the Test series, Cummins has opted to sit out of Australia’s upcoming Test tour to Sri Lanka due to the impending birth of his child. During this period, Steve Smith will take over as interim captain, but now there are concerns surrounding Cummins' availability for the Champions Trophy.
Cricket Australia’s selection panel chair, George Bailey, addressed reporters, revealing that Cummins was also managing a sore ankle following the conclusion of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Bailey confirmed that Cummins would undergo scans in the coming days to assess the injury and determine whether it will affect his participation in the Champions Trophy. "Pat’s obviously on paternity leave for the next little bit," Bailey explained. "He’s got a little bit of a sore ankle as well. In the next week or so, he’ll undergo scans, and we’ll have more information about where things stand."
The potential absence of Cummins from the Champions Trophy would be a significant blow to Australia’s chances in the tournament. As the captain of both the ODI and Test teams, his leadership has been integral to Australia’s success in recent years. The team, which is fresh off their World Cup victory, will be aiming to add the Champions Trophy to their growing list of achievements. However, their prospects could be seriously impacted if Cummins is unable to recover in time.
If Cummins is indeed unavailable, vice-captain Mitchell Marsh is expected to step up as the captain. Marsh, who has led Australia in T20 matches in the past, is familiar with the role and has the backing of the team. Additionally, former captain Steve Smith is also likely to be considered for a longer stint as captain, given his experience and leadership abilities. Marsh is currently not available for the Sri Lanka tour due to injury but is expected to be available for the Champions Trophy.
Meanwhile, there is some positive news regarding Josh Hazlewood’s availability for the upcoming ICC tournament. Hazlewood, who missed part of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy due to a calf injury and is also sidelined for the Sri Lanka tour, is expected to recover in time for the Champions Trophy. His return will bolster Australia’s pace attack, alongside Cummins (if fit) and other key bowlers, as they look to challenge for the prestigious title.
As of now, the scans will provide a clearer picture of Cummins' condition, and Cricket Australia will likely make a final call on his participation once they have all the necessary information. In the meantime, Australia will continue to prepare for the Champions Trophy, hoping for positive results in both their injury concerns and the team’s overall readiness for the tournament.
