Pat Cummins has revealed it's unlikely he'll be part of Australia's tour of Sri Lanka, paving the way for Steve Smith to captain the side.
Cummins is expecting the birth of his second child and admitted after his side's Border-Gavaskar Trophy win he'll struggle to play in the sub-continent.
"We'll wait and see … we'll play it by ear," he told reporters.
PLAYER RATINGS: Perfect 10 unveiled as skipper claims dream trifecta
"Most likely I might struggle to get over there."
Pat Cummins and Steve Smith during the fifth Test. Getty
With Smith vice-captain, Cummins' likely absence means he'll return to the top role.
Smith last captained the Test side in 2023 when Cummins returned home from India after his mother's passing. Travis Head has also shared the vice-captain role.
The two-test Sri Lanka series, starting on January 29, will form part of Australia's preparation for the World Test Championship after qualifying for the final against South Africa.
Australia will attempt to defend the crown in June at Lord's before heading to the West Indies for a three-Test tour.
Cummins described the chance to try and claim two-in-a-row as "huge".
"We talk about the World Test Championship a lot, it's a trophy we're really proud to hold so we want to go back and defend it," he said.
"I think it's a great tournament in that you've got to play well consistently and across all different conditions against different teams.
"It's great to be there again and I can't wait to get over there."
