Pat Cummins Welcomes Baby Girl, Misses Champions Trophy
Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins and his wife Becky recently welcomed their second child, a daughter named Edi. The couple shared the happy news on social media, expressing their joy and love for their newborn. This latest addition to the Cummins family comes as Pat Cummins faces some professional setbacks.
Injuries Rule Cummins and Hazlewood Out of Champions Trophy
Cummins will be missing the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy due to an ankle injury. He’s not alone, as fellow pacer Josh Hazlewood will also be absent from the tournament due to a hip injury. These injuries are a significant blow to the Australian team, especially after Mitchell Marsh’s withdrawal due to a back injury and Marcus Stoinis’s shock retirement. Australia now needs to find four replacements, including at least two all-rounders, to maintain team balance and experience.
Australia’s Injury Woes Deepen
The team’s injury concerns started during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Cummins bowled a remarkable 167 overs during the series, the highest by any bowler, and took 25 wickets. This heavy workload likely contributed to his ankle issue. Hazlewood’s hip problem arose after he had already recovered from side and calf strains that kept him out of three Test matches in the same series. Marsh’s back injury also flared up during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, forcing him to miss the final Test. He’s currently undergoing rehabilitation.
Cummins and Hazlewood’s IPL Participation in Doubt
Both Cummins and Hazlewood will require an extended period of rehabilitation. Their participation in the Indian Premier League (IPL) is now uncertain. Their absence will be a big loss for their respective IPL teams and fans.
Australia’s Road Ahead
The final squad for the Champions Trophy will be announced after the second Test against Sri Lanka. Following the Champions Trophy, Australia’s next major commitment is the ICC World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord’s in mid-June. The team hopes to have its key players fit and ready for this crucial match. Australia’s preliminary squad for Champions Trophy includes Pat Cummins (c), Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, and Adam Zampa. The final squad will include the necessary replacements given the recent injuries and retirements.
