Australian skipper Pat Cummins’ participation in the upcoming Champions Trophy remains under clouds due to an ankle injury. And, there are also discussions going around to hand over the reins to either Steve Smith or Travis Head. Pat Cummins also missed Austraia’s tour of Sri Lanka for a two-match Test series due to the birth of his child.
"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. 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,” Australian head coach Andrew McDonald told SEN.
In the absence of Cummins, Steve Smith is leading Australia in Sri Lanka and the side won the first game by an innings and 242 runs.
"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,” McDonald stressed.