Double Blow For Australia, Star Duo Ruled Out Of ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Australia have been dealt a severe blow as both Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have been ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy . Earlier, Marcus Stoinis announced his retirement from ODI cricket and the Aussies will now have to make multiple changes to their provisional squad before the February 12 deadline. Allrounder Mitchell Marsh also withdrew from the squad as he has been struggling with a back injury.

Australia defeated India in the ODI World Cup final in 2023 and are also tipped to be one of the favourites for this upcoming marquee ICC event.

National selection panel chair George Bailey confirmed the development. As quoted by cricket.co.au he said, '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.’

Also Read: Australia Suffer Major Setback Ahead Of ICC Champions Trophy, Star All-Rounder Announces Shock Retirement From ODIs

Steve Smith, Travis Head Could Replace Pat Cummins As Australian Skipper

Cummins led Australia in the 2023 ODI World Cup and his absence will be a huge drawback for Australia. Hazlewood featured in the Border Gavaskar Trophy but he suffered injury and was ruled out of the Test series for a prolonged period. Head coach Andrew McDonald suggested Travis Head and Steve Smith's name as Cummins' replacement in the Champions Trophy. Head was brilliant in the last ODI World Cup and his superior display in the BGT also helped him in cementing his place in the side. Smith has hit the twilight period of his career but with a number of players missing out, the 35 year old needs to take extra burden in the tournament.

Also Read: 'We Just Wanted To Have An Option': Rohit Sharma Addresses Varun Chakravarthy’s Status For Champions Trophy Amid Uncertainty

Australia provisional squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Pat Cummins (c), Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa