Pat Cummins is heavily unlikely to play Champions Trophy: Australia coach Andrew McDonald

Australia's talismanic Test and ODI captain Pat Cummins might have to cheer for his nation from the sidelines during the impending Champions Trophy 2025. Head coach Andrew McDonald said that Cummins is highly unlikely to play in the global event which begins on February 19.

Cummins has given the ongoing tour of Sri Lanka a skip to be with his wife as the couple are expecting their second child. The paternity leave is also giving the star all-rounder time to recover from an ankle injury that was aggravated during the demanding Border-Gavaskar series against India. McDonald revealed that Cummins hasn't started bowling yet and he might not be able to recover in time for the Champions Trophy.

The former Australian all-rounder also noted that the Men in Yellow will need to announce a new captain for the eight-team tournament. According to McDonald, Steve Smith and Travis Head are the contenders to take up the prestigious role.

"Pat Cummins hasn't been able to resume any type of bowling so he's heavily unlikely, so that would mean that we do need a captain," McDonald told SEN.

"Steve Smith and Travis Head are the two that we've been having conversations with while we've been building out that Champions Trophy team along with Pat back home. They'll be the two that we look at for that leadership post," he added.

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McDonald praised Smith's leadership credentials, highlighting his experience in Test and ODI cricket. The talismanic batter is currently leading the Australian team in the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka in Galle. McDonald also expressed his concerns about Josh Hazlewood, who is racing against time to get fit ahead of the Champions Trophy.

"They're the two obvious ones. Steve has done a great job here in the [first] Test match. He's done some good work in one-day international cricket across the journey as well. So it's between those two," McDonald said.

"But, as I said, Patty is hugely unlikely, which is a bit of shame, and we've also got Josh Hazlewood, who is battling [to be fit] at the moment. So that medical information will land over the next couple of days and we'll be able to shore that up and let everyone know the direction," he added.