In a major blow to Australia's cricket team, captain Pat Cummins and fast bowler Josh Hazlewood have been officially ruled out of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The injuries, sustained during the intense Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India, have cast a shadow over Australia's campaign in the prestigious tournament scheduled to start on Feb 19.
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| Image Credits: Sky Sports |
Cummins, who has been nursing an ankle injury, and Hazlewood, dealing with a hip problem, were pivotal to Australia's bowling attack, bringing both leadership and experience to the team. Their absence leaves a significant void in the team's lineup, particularly in the pace department, where their skill and precision are hard to match.
This development has forced Cricket Australia (CA) to make substantial changes to the squad, with replacements like Sean Abbott and Spencer Johnson stepping in to fill the big shoes left by the duo.
"Unfortunately, Pat, Josh, and Mitch are managing some ongoing injuries and haven't come up in time for the Champions Trophy. While disappointing, it does present a great opportunity for other players to perform for Australia in a world event," said George Bailey, head of the Australian selection panel.
The absence of Cummins and Hazlewood, coupled with Marcus Stoinis's sudden retirement from ODIs and Mitchell Marsh's back injury, poses strategic challenges for Australia. With the tournament approaching, the team will need to adapt quickly, potentially looking towards veterans like Steve Smith for leadership and relying on the depth of their bowling reserves to navigate this championship without two of their key players.
