Australia’s Champions Trophy Campaign Hit By Two Veteran’s Injury!! These Players Added As Replacements

Australia’s captain, Pat Cummins, and their experienced pacer, Josh Hazlewood, have been ruled out of the Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to take place on February 19. Their chairman of the selection committee, George Bailey, reckoned that both of these two players were managing their respective injuries.

Cummins missed the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka away from home for the birth of his child. However, he also has been nursing his ankle injury that he picked up during the five-match Test series against India at home during the Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25.

Australia concerned with injury before Champions Trophy 2025

They have until February 12 to finalize their squad for the eight-team tournament. However, they will have to make as many as four changes in the line-up to the initial 15-member squad that they named on January 12.

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Along with Cummins, Josh Hazlewood will also miss the action in Pakistan and Dubai International Stadium. The lanky New South Wales pacer missed the last two Tests against India in the home summer with a back injury. Although he has recovered from that issue, a new hip injury occurred to increase his concern.

Australia will also be without Mitchell Marsh, who is struggling with a back injury and has been out of the competition. They also received the news of Marcus Stoinis announcing his ODI retirement from immediate effect, removing himself from the event from the original 15.

Australia adds these players as replacement

February 12 is also the day when the current ODI World Champions face Sri Lanka in the first of the two ODIs in Colombo. They have added three quicks in the side. Sean Abbott, who missed the first selection, will fly to the country along with the left-arm pacer Spencer Johnson. Ben Dwarshuis will also featured in the side as well as leg spinner Tanveer Sangha, spin-bowling all-rounder Coope Connolly, and batter Jake Fraser-McGurk.

Australia can carry only three fast bowlers for the 50-over ICC event, while Fraser-McGurk can be the likely replacement for Mitchell Marsh, who hasn’t bowled much in the ODI cricket of late. JFM seems the possible number three batter. Connolly can replace Stoinis in the side.

"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.” George Bailey expressed on February 06.

It remains to be seen if Cummins and Hazlewood take part in the 2025 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) before the World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa at Lord’s in June.

Steve Smith or Travis Head to lead Australia

Australia has two options between Steve Smith and Travis Head to appoint their new leader for the two Sri Lanka ODIs and the Champions Trophy.

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“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.” Andre McDonald, Australia’s head coach, highlighted.

“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. He's done some good work in one-day international cricket across the journey as well. So it's between those two.” He shed light.

The team management may struggle to find the best balance of the ODI side for the first game in Sri Lanka. There is only a day’s break between the scheduled end of the second Test and the first Colombo ODI. Five members of the 50-over format are involved in the Test match.