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.

Steve Smith is leading Australia in the two-Test series against Sri Lanka as Pat Cummins takes paternity leave and attends to an ankle issue. The squad is without Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Marsh, focusing on the Champions Trophy.

Steve Smith has been named Australia's captain for their tour of Sri Lanka without regular skipper Pat Cummins, said Cricket Australia. Mitchell Starc leads the pace attack in an otherwise spin-heavy squad.

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,

Steve Smith has been appointed the captain of the Australian cricket team for their upcoming tour of Sri Lanka. The move comes in the wake of Pat Cummins's paternity leave and persistent ankle issue. Cricket Australia confirmed Cummins's condition had been "managed through the summer."

Nathan McSweeney was recalled to Australia’s test squad on Thursday to tour Sri Lanka, less than three weeks after being dropped from the top order. Australia’s selectors announced their squad Thursday for the two-test tour,

Nathan McSweeney who was dropped from the Australian squad in the middle of the series against India has been recalled

World Test champions Australia will play a two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, starting at Galle on January 29.