Former captain Steve Smith will once again lead Australia this month, having been named skipper in the absence of Pat Cummins, who is on paternity leave. Smith will lead Australia in their three-match series against Sri Lanka,

Australia’s first match of the Champions Trophy, a major ICC event the nation hasn’t won since 2009, is against Ashes rivals England in Lahore on February 22. If Cummins were unavailable for the tournament due to injury, all-rounder Mitchell Marsh would most likely captain the side.

Cummins’ decision to step back for personal reasons is emblematic of a broader shift in modern cricket.

Pat Cummins will miss the tour of Sri Lanka for the birth of his second child, with Steve Smith leading the side in his absence.

Nathan McSweeney has been recalled to Australia’s test squad to tour Sri Lanka less than three weeks after being dropped from the top order.

Australia has announced its squad for the upcoming two-Test match series in Sri Lanka, starting on January 29. The 16-member squad includes some fresh faces and notable omissions, with Steven Smith taking over as captain in Pat Cummins' absence.