As the much-awaited Champions Trophy approaches, the Australian cricket team has been hit with significant setbacks. On Thursday, it was confirmed that skipper Pat Cummins and veteran pacer Josh Hazlewood will miss the tournament due to injuries.
Cummins has yet to recover from an ankle issue that troubled him towards the end of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India, while Hazlewood remains sidelined with a persistent calf strain.
Selection Woes for Australia
Chairman of the national selection panel, George Bailey, expressed his disappointment but remained optimistic about the squad’s depth.
“Unfortunately, Pat, Josh, and Mitch are managing ongoing injuries and haven’t recovered in time for the Champions Trophy,” Bailey stated. “While disappointing, it does present a great opportunity for other players to step up for Australia in a major tournament.”
Hazlewood’s last competitive match was during the drawn third Test against India in Brisbane, and his absence further compounds Australia’s bowling concerns.
Uncertainty Over IPL Participation
With both pacers requiring extensive rehabilitation, their participation in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) also hangs in the balance. Cummins, who was set to captain Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Hazlewood, who was acquired by Royal Challengers Bengaluru for ₹12.50 crore, may have to sit out the lucrative T20 league if their recovery takes longer than expected.
Australia’s next major international fixture after the Champions Trophy is the World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa at Lord’s in mid-June. The team will be eager to field their strongest XI for the crucial encounter.
Stoinis Announces Surprise ODI Retirement
Adding to the team’s selection challenges, all-rounder Marcus Stoinis announced his sudden retirement from ODIs earlier in the day. Stoinis, who was initially named in Australia’s Champions Trophy squad, cited his desire to focus on the next phase of his career as the primary reason behind his decision.
Meanwhile, Mitchell Marsh has also withdrawn from the tournament due to an ongoing back injury, further depleting Australia’s squad strength.
Who Will Lead Australia in Cummins’ Absence?
With Cummins sidelined, the leadership role could fall to either Steve Smith or Travis Head. As the reigning ODI World Cup champions, Australia will aim to put together a strong campaign despite these setbacks.
The team is set to kick off its Champions Trophy journey in Pakistan on February 19. Their first match is against England on February 22 in Lahore, followed by encounters against South Africa (February 25, Rawalpindi) and Afghanistan (February 28, Lahore).
The coming weeks will be crucial for Australia as they navigate these injury concerns and make final preparations for the global event.
