Champions Trophy: Pat Cummins Availability In Doubt

Advertisement

Captain Pat Cummins of Australia still remains uncertain as to whether or not he’ll be participating in the Champions Trophy next month with an ankle injury. The injury reportedly came about during the Test series held recently between India and Australia has cast doubt over his possible participation in this prestigious tournament which is scheduled in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates next month.

Advertisement

Cummins to Undergo Scan for Injury Evaluation

On Thursday, it was confirmed that Cummins would be missing the two-Test tour of Sri Lanka, where he had initially been scheduled to play. The reason for his absence is paternity leave, as he prepares for the arrival of his child. During this period, Cummins is also set to undergo a scan on his ankle to determine the extent of the injury and whether he will be fit to lead Australia in the Champions Trophy.

The chief selector here, George Bailey, was able to provide a little insight into the situation: “We’ll have to wait and see when the scan results come back and how it’s working. There’s a bit of work to do now. We’ll probably get a little more information about where it is.” Bailey added that the extent of the damage the injury could have will actually take a while to determine, given the number of games Cummins played in the recent Test series.

Cummins’ Heavy Workload in India

Pat Cummins had an intense workload in the Test series against India, bowling a total of 167 overs and taking 25 wickets at an impressive average of 21.36. His contributions were pivotal to Australia’s performance in the series, and his absence from the Champions Trophy would be a significant blow to the team.

Australia’s Champions Trophy Preparation

Australia will play England on February 22 in the Champions Trophy. In preparation for the tournament, Australia has arranged a one-off ODI match against Sri Lanka on February 13. The one-off match would be a practice match for Australia before the commencement of the Champions Trophy, and hence, they have to decide who will lead their team in case of Cummins not being available due to his unclear situation.

While Cummins captained Australia in the 2023 ODI World Cup, he has only played two ODIs since then, and this has seen the team rely on a variety of stand-in captains lately. The team had Steven Smith as its captain against the West Indies last season, and this season saw the leadership role given to Mitchell Marsh while in England. Smith again captained the team during the decisive match of that series, and Josh Inglis led the side in the final ODI against Pakistan earlier this year.

Josh Hazlewood’s Recovery and Potential Return

Good news from Australia is the return of pacer Josh Hazlewood who is expected back in the squad for the Champions Trophy. His calf injury cut his series against India short early into the Brisbane contest, but there has been huge progress on that front. The selectors have taken adequate care of Hazlewood and are looking for him to get to full fitness before being included in the team again.

“Josh is working really hard, and all the reports about his response to his calf injury have been really good,” said Bailey. Still, the selectors are cautious about how much time Hazlewood will have to regain full fitness and the workload he may face as a fast bowler. Bailey said that Hazlewood’s readiness will depend on how the team structures its pace attack and manages player workload.

Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, and Sean Abbott in Sri Lanka

As Australia prepares for the Sri Lanka tour, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, and Sean Abbott are likely to be the main fast bowlers on the trip. Abbott’s inclusion in the squad has been particularly notable, as he could potentially make his Test debut during the tour. The selectors were impressed by his performances and saw his inclusion as an opportunity to strengthen the pace attack.

“What works in Sean’s favor is that he is very strong in different conditions than we are expecting to face. We know he can work hard when needed,” said Bailey. Abbott’s versatility in various playing conditions makes him a valuable asset to the Australian squad, especially given the challenges of the Sri Lankan conditions.

As Australia prepares for the Sri Lanka tour as well as the Champions Trophy, there is mystery surrounding the fitness of captain Pat Cummins. His ankle injury has been closely watched, and whether he will be fit to lead Australia in the Champions Trophy is yet to be known. The return of Josh Hazlewood is promising for the bowling attack, and the options are not bad at all, especially with Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, and Sean Abbott in the mix for the Test series.

The Australian squad is looking quite strong for both the Sri Lanka tour and the Champions Trophy, but leadership and fitness issues are going to continue to be huge talking points ahead of these marquee events.

ALSO READ: Ice Hockey League: Changla Lamos Makes It To Semi-Finals

Advertisement