Cummins, Hazlewood in Doubt for Champions Trophy: Australia Faces Selection Headache

Australia’s preparations for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 have been hit with a major setback as Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood are in doubt for the tournament due to injuries. Head coach Andrew McDonald has hinted that Cummins is "hugely unlikely" to regain fitness in time, while Hazlewood’s condition remains uncertain.

Injury Woes for Australia

The Australian selectors named both players in the provisional 15-man squad, with Cummins even designated as captain. However, fresh concerns regarding their fitness have disrupted the team’s plans.

Cummins, who missed the team's Sri Lanka tour to be with his family for the birth of his second child, has also been nursing an ankle injury sustained during the Test series against India. Despite optimism about his recovery, his fitness has not improved as expected, leaving Australia in search of a replacement captain.

Hazlewood, on the other hand, has been struggling with multiple injuries. He suffered a side strain during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and was later ruled out of the series with a calf strain. There is little clarity on whether he will be fit in time for the Champions Trophy.

Who Will Lead Australia?

With Cummins likely ruled out, Australia now faces the challenge of selecting a stand-in captain. Mitchell Marsh, who previously led the ODI side in Cummins' absence, has already been ruled out with a lower back injury.

The two leading contenders for captaincy are Steve Smith and Travis Head. McDonald confirmed that discussions are ongoing:

“Steve has done a great job here in the Test match, he's done some good work in one-day international cricket across the journey as well. It'll be between those two.”

Upcoming Fixtures for Australia

Before their Champions Trophy campaign, Australia will play two ODIs in Sri Lanka before traveling to Pakistan for their tournament opener against England on February 22 in Lahore.

With key players battling injuries and leadership uncertainties looming, Australia’s road to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 just got more complicated. Who do you think should lead the team in Cummins' absence? Drop your thoughts in the comments!

Reference from:-https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/133326/cummins-hazlewood-in-doubt-for-champions-trophy