After winning the 2024–25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Australia faces a concern as skipper Pat Cummins might miss the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to an ankle injury. Cummins, who bowled 167 overs during the series, will also skip the upcoming Sri Lanka Test series for paternity leave. Selectors await scan results to determine the injury’s severity and recovery timeline
3 Players Who Could Captain Australia If Pat Cummins Misses the ICC Champions Trophy 2025
1. Mitchell Marsh
All-rounder Mitchell Marsh currently serves as the vice-captain of Australia’s ODI team and leads the T20I side. Despite being dropped from the Test setup, Marsh remains a vital cog in Australia’s white-ball teams, with significant experience in 93 ODIs. While his bowling has been limited in recent years due to injuries, his batting continues to shine at the top order.
Marsh led Australia in nine ODIs against South Africa and England in 2023 and 2024, securing four wins. His leadership experience and current role as vice-captain make him a logical choice to step in as captain if Cummins is unavailable.
2. Steve Smith
Test vice-captain Steve Smith has often stepped in to lead Australia when Pat Cummins is unavailable. Smith is set to captain the upcoming Test series in Sri Lanka and has been a dependable leader in high-pressure situations.
Smith’s captaincy record is impressive, having led Australia in 59 matches with 31 wins. In ODIs, he has captained the team eight times over the past two years, winning six of those matches.
Although Marsh is the ODI vice-captain, Smith’s tactical acumen, experience, and proven track record make him a strong contender to lead Australia in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 should Cummins be ruled out.
3. Travis Head
A wildcard option, Travis Head could be in the mix for a leadership role. The prolific batter has been a consistent performer across all formats and has been in scintillating form over the past four years.
In 2023, Head was named co-vice-captain of Australia’s Test team alongside Smith, signaling his potential as a future leader. With the 2027 World Cup on the horizon, giving Head the captaincy during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 could be an excellent opportunity for him to prove his leadership mettle.
While less experienced in captaincy than Marsh and Smith, Head’s temperament and consistent performances could make him a long-term leadership option for Australia.