Australia skipper's Champions Trophy participation in doubt
1. Pat Cummins hasn't been able to resume any type of bowling so he's heavily unlikely," says McDonald
Australia captain Pat Cummins is "highly unlikely" to play in the Champions Trophy, with fellow pacer Josh Hazlewood also a doubt for the ODI tournament, confirmed head coach Andrew McDonald on Wednesday.
Cummins, who missed the Test tour of Sri Lanka for the birth of his second child, has been dealing with an ankle injury that worsened after Australia’s Test series win over India last month.
"Pat Cummins hasn't been able to resume any form of bowling, so he's heavily unlikely," McDonald told Australian radio station SEN. "That means we’ll need a new captain. Steve Smith and Travis Head are the two players we’ve been in talks with while building our Champions Trophy squad."
Hazlewood, who missed three of the five Tests against India and the Sri Lanka tour due to side and calf injuries, is still working to regain fitness. McDonald stated a decision will be made once they receive the latest medical updates.
All-rounder Mitchell Marsh has already been ruled out of the Champions Trophy due to a back injury.
The tournament is set to begin on February 19 and will be co-hosted by Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.
In other squad news, team spokesperson confirmed Sam Konstas was released from Australia's squad ahead of the second Test in Sri Lanka to return home and play for New South Wales in their Sheffield Shield match against Queensland in Brisbane.
Konstas, 19, made a memorable 60 on his Test debut against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Boxing Day but was dropped for the series opener against Sri Lanka in Galle, with Travis Head replacing him in the middle order. Head went on to score 57 in Australia’s dominant innings and 242-run victory.
A spokesperson said, "Konstas has been released to play his first match at the Gabba and gain more experience there." The Gabba will host the second Ashes Test against England in December.
Head expects Konstas to return to the Test squad for the World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord's in June, adding, "Most likely I'll go back to the middle order and Sam will open."
Australia will aim to complete a 2-0 sweep over Sri Lanka with a win in the second Test in Galle, starting Thursday.
