Australia, the reigning ODI World Cup champions, faces a significant personnel crisis ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025. With multiple injuries and withdrawals, the team must make at least four changes before the eight-team tournament begins.
Cummins, Hazlewood, and Marsh Unavailable
Cricket Australia confirmed that captain Pat Cummins and key pacer Josh Hazlewood will miss the tournament due to injuries. Marcus Stoinis, who recently retired from ODIs, will also be unavailable. Mitchell Marsh, who was expected to play a crucial role in the middle order, has withdrawn due to a back injury.
George Bailey, chairman of selectors, acknowledged the setback while highlighting the opportunity for other players to step up.
“Unfortunately, Pat, Josh, and Mitch are managing some ongoing injuries and haven’t come up in time for the Champions Trophy,” Bailey said. “While disappointing, it does present a great opportunity for other players to perform for Australia in a world event.”
Hazlewood continues to struggle with a hip problem after previously suffering hip and calf strains. Cummins, who sustained an ankle injury during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, has not recovered in time, ruling him out of the squad.
Australia to Appoint a New Captain
Cummins’ absence forces Australia to name a new captain for the Champions Trophy. Head coach Andrew McDonald has confirmed that discussions are ongoing, with Steve Smith and Travis Head emerging as the frontrunners for the role.
“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. They’ll be the two that we look at for that leadership post,” McDonald said.
“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.”
Smith, an experienced leader, has previously captained Australia in ODIs, Tests, and T20s. Head, on the other hand, played a crucial role in the 2023 World Cup triumph and has emerged as a reliable leader in recent years.
Squad Adjustments Needed
With four senior players unavailable, Australia’s selection panel must identify replacements who can provide both experience and balance to the squad. The absence of Cummins and Hazlewood weakens the pace attack, requiring additional reinforcements.
Sean Abbott, Nathan Ellis, and Jhye Richardson could be in contention to replace the injured fast bowlers. Meanwhile, the unavailability of Stoinis and Marsh leaves a gap in the all-rounder department, possibly opening the door for Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, or Matthew Short.
The selectors have limited time to finalize the squad before Australia’s first game in the Champions Trophy.
Australia’s Schedule in the Champions Trophy 2025
Australia is placed in Group B and will begin their campaign against England on February 22. Their second match is against South Africa on February 25, followed by their final group-stage clash against Afghanistan on February 28.
The semifinals are scheduled for March 4 and 5, with the final set for March 9.
Challenges and Expectations
Despite the absence of key players, Australia remains a strong contender in the tournament. The team boasts experienced players who can step up in high-pressure situations. However, finding the right replacements and ensuring squad balance will be crucial for their title defense.
With leadership uncertainty and last-minute squad changes, Australia faces a tough challenge. The management must now focus on making swift decisions to maintain their competitive edge in the Champions Trophy 2025.
