Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood. | (Credits: X)
More injuries have plagued Australia’s Champions Trophy 2025 squad as their two premier bowlers Mitchell Starc and captain Pat Cummins have also been ruled out. The pace-bowling duo will also miss the preceding ODI series against Sri Lanka that the two-time title winners were to use it as a dress rehearsal for the eight-team event.
Cummins sustained an ankle injury during the five-Test series at home against India that has kept him out of the Sri Lanka tour. Meanwhile, Josh Hazlewood, who was ruled out of the Test series against India midway, has a hip injury and will be able to play no part in Australia’s Champions Trophy campaign.
The development comes on the day when Marcus Stoinis announced his immediate retirement from one-day cricket despite being named in the Champions Trophy squad. The reigning World Cup champions will also need to find a replacement for Mitchell Marsh, whose lower back injury will keep him out of the tournaments.
Cricket Australia have already called in reinforcements as the likes of Sean Abbott, Cooper Connolly, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Ben Dwarshuis, Spencer Johnson and Tanveer Sangha will join the squad in Sri Lanka as the replacements. However, the selectors are yet to zero in on replacements for the Champions Trophy.
George Bailey says opportunity ripe for inexperienced players to shine for Australia
Chief selector George Bailey opined that unfortunate injuries have kept their senior players out of the event and said, as quoted by cricket.com.au:
“Unfortunately Pat, Josh and Mitch are managing some ongoing injuries and haven’t come up in time for the Champion’s Trophy. While disappointing, it does present a great opportunity for other players to perform for Australia in a world event.”
With Cummins out of Champions Trophy, Steve Smith or Travis Head will lead Australia.
