Pat Cummins & Josh Hazlewood Doubtful For CT

Pat Cummins is unlikely to feature in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy while doubts are pondering over Josh Hazlewood's fitness according to head coach Andrew McDonald.

Both fast bowlers were named in the 15-member provisional squad for the mega event with Cummins designated as the captain of the ship. However, injury concerns to both Cummins & Hazlewood have jeopardized the strategy and planning for the 8-team event.

McDonald On Pat Cummins

"Pat Cummins is 'very unlikely' to pull it through which is a bit of shame, we've also got Josh who is also battling a sprain at the moment" McDonald stated via SEN Radio. ''The medical reports will be arriving in a couple of days only then we can come up with a conclusion, we'll make sure that we let everyone know about the developments"

Pat Cummins did not travel with the Australian squad who are currently in an away test series against Sri Lanka. Pat Cummins is attending the birth of his child while also managing an ankle injury during the five-test rubber against India in the Border Gavaskar Trophy. The road to recovery might be a long one, but this has now forced the Australian selectors to not only look for a fast bowler but also for a stand-in skipper. Hazlewood on the other hand, has suffered a side strain during the India series and was later ruled out, there is no clarity on his fitness as of now.

"At the moment Pat hasn't started to bowl, so he's 'highly unlikely', this does mean that we'll need a new leader, we'll announce that decision in a couple of days". McDonald stated

The Aussies are already missing the services of All-Rounder Mitchell Marsh who is ruled out of the tournament due to lower back pain and dysfunction. Marsh has previously led the Australia ODI side in Pat's absence. But, with Marsh ruled out the Australian think tank will have to look at Steve Smith or Travis Head as the two potential captaincy options in line to replace Cummins.

"Steve Smith & Travis Head are the two options we have, Steve has done a great job in the first test here, and he also has the experience of leading the White-ball team in his career, we're having conversations with these, so it'll be either Steve or Travis Who'll be leading the side"

Australia play a couple of ODIs in Sri Lanka before traveling to Pakistan for their opening fixture against England in Lahore on February 22.