Australian selection panel chair George Bailey is ‘not sure’ about Pat Cummins’ participation in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, scheduled to be held in Pakistan and UAE.
Bailey informed the media on Thursday (January 9) that Cummins has a ‘sore ankle’ after the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) and will undergo scans to determine the extent of the injury soon.
Cummins was Australia’s standout pacer in the BGT, bowling 167 overs across five Tests — almost 10 more than the next best, Mohammed Siraj.
Cummins wasn’t included in Australia’s squad for the two-Test tour of Sri Lanka as his wife is due to give a birth to their second child soon, but this injury might extend his layoff to the Champions Trophy, slated to get underway on February 19.
“Pat’s obviously on paternity leave for the next little bit," Bailey told reporters after announcing the squad for the Sri Lanka series. “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."
Bailey remained non-committal when asked about the captain’s chances of featuring in the Champions Trophy.
“Not really sure yet. We’ll have to wait and see the results of his scan and how he progresses," he said.
Steve Smith will lead the Australian Test team in Cummins’ absence and the veteran batter might get leadership opportunity in the Champions Trophy as well.
Meanwhile, Josh Hazlewood wasn’t picked in the squad for the Sri Lanka Test tour. Bailey said the senior pacer, who sustained a calf injury during the BGT, has responded well to treatment and expressed confidence about his availability for the Champions Trophy.
“He’s working really hard, and all the news on how he’s responding to the calf injury is very positive," Bailey said.
“It was just probably a little bit tight for him to make this squad given the time he’s missed. But we’re confident he’ll be fit and raring to go for the Champions Trophy," he added.
Australia will open their Champions Trophy campaign against England on February 22 at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
