Australia captain Pat Cummins is “hugely unlikely” to be fit for the Champions Trophy, says coach Andrew McDonald.
Fast bowler Cummins, 31, is absent from the ongoing Test series in Sri Lanka because of the birth of his second child, but also has an ankle problem.
Fellow paceman Josh Hazlewood, who has been sidelined with calf and side issues and was named in Australia’s preliminary squad alongside Cummins, is also a doubt.
“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,” McDonald told radio station SEN.
“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.”
Cummins’ absence would leave 50-over world champions Australia with a decision to make over the captaincy, with all-rounder and vice-captain Mitchell Marsh already out with a back issue.
McDonald said Steve Smith, who is currently leading in Cummins’ absence in Sri Lanka and has captained Australia in 59 one-day internationals, and fellow batter Travis Head are the two options being considered.
Head has never been captain in ODIs but has been in charge for one T20 – a defeat by England in Cardiff last year.
“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 said.
“They’ll be the two that we look at for that leadership post.”
The Champions Trophy, held in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates, begins on 19 February.
Australia are in a group with England, Afghanistan and South Africa and meet England in their opening fixture on 22 February.
Teams have until Wednesday, 12 February to make changes to their preliminary squads. Left-armer Mitchell Starc and seamer Nathan Ellis are currently the only fit quick bowlers in Australia’s squad.
Seamer Sean Abbott, left-armer Spencer Johnson and quick Lance Morris were part of the squad beaten 2-1 at home by Pakistan in Australia’s most recent ODI series.
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