Captain Cummins in doubt for Champions Trophy

Pat Cummins and the Australian selectors are awaiting scan results on the skipper's injured ankle. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)

Pat Cummins is no certainty to play in the Champions Trophy with Australia's captain to undergo scans on a sore ankle.

With Australia's captain already sitting out the Test tour of Sri Lanka for the impending birth of his child, Cricket Australia confirmed on Thursday the quick was also managing ankle pain.

Officials are unsure about the severity of the injury, or whether he will be fit to return for Australia's first match in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan on February 22.

"We'll have to wait and see when that scan comes back and see how it's tracking," chief selector George Bailey said.

"There's a little bit of work to do. 

"We'll probably get a bit more information around where that's at."

The absence of Cummins would be a major blow for Australia, who have had an eye on the Champions' Trophy since lifting the 50-over World Cup in 2023.

Australia have not won the tournament since 2009, with India and Pakistan having triumphed in the two editions since then.

Mitch Marsh is Australia's vice-captain in the one-day format, having taken on the full-time role in Twenty20s.

Marsh was not picked in the Test squad for Sri Lanka on Thursday, but selectors have said he will be part of the Champions Trophy group to be named early next week.

Josh Hazlewood is also not going to Sri Lanka on his return from a calf injury, with the seamer also kept on ice for the 50-over tournament.

Australia have instead gone with Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland and Sean Abbott in the Test group.

There is the potential they could play only one quick at Galle, depending on the wicket, adding more workload to any of the trio who does play.

"Josh is working really hard and all the news of how he's responding to his recovery from the calf injury is coming along really well," Bailey said.

"It's just probably a little bit tight, given the amount of time that he would have missed and also with how we may structure up and the loads those quicks may be put under."

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store