Australia's ICC Champions Trophy plans have been thrown into further dismay with news that skipper Pat Cummins and key seamer Josh Hazlewood are unlikely to travel to feature at the tournament.
The Aussies have already been dealt a blow with the loss of experienced all-rounder Mitch Marsh due to injury and the absence of Cummins and Hazlewood could further dent the side as they seek a third Champions Trophy title in the 50-over tournament that commences in Pakistan and Dubai on February 19.
Andrew McDonald discussed the latest injury blow on Wednesday and the Australian coach revealed he may need a new skipper for the tournament given the likely absence of current ODI captain Cummins.
"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 told Australian radio station SEN.
"Steve Smith and Travis Head are the two that we've been having conversations with while we've been building out that Champions Trophy team along with Pat back home. They'll be the two that we look at for that leadership post.
"They're the two obvious ones. Steve has done a great job here in the (first) Test match (against Sri Lanka). He's done some good work in one-day international cricket across the journey as well. So it's between those two.
"But, as I said, 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. 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."
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