Champions Trophy 2025: Big Blow For Australia as Pat Cummins & Josh Hazlewood Ruled Out of Tournament

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In a massive blow for Australia, two star pacers Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood were on Thursday (February 6) ruled out of the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 due to injury.

The duo were major doubts after head coach Andrew McDonald had revealed on Wednesday (February 5) that the Australian team management were waiting on the ankle scan results of Cummins, who was termed 'heavily unlikely', and Hazlewood is yet to recover from a hip issue.

Skipper Cummins has not recovered from the ankle issue that plagued him during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25 as per ICC, while Hazlewood has developed a hip problem following earlier hip and calf strains, which he also picked up during the Test series against India.

While the Aussies will miss Hazlewood's pinpoint accuracy and control, Cummins' absence would mean that they will miss on his inspiring leadership, stellar bowling and handy batting, as per ICC.

"Unfortunately Pat, Josh and Mitch are managing some ongoing injuries and haven't come up in time for the Champions Trophy," national selection panel chairman George Bailey said on Thursday. "While disappointing, it does present a great opportunity for other players to perform for Australia in a world event," said Bailey.

The absence of Cummins and Hazlewood also gives further headache to Australia, who are already without the injured Mitchell Marsh and the recently retired Marcus Stoinis. This means the side will need four replacements for the upcoming Champions Trophy.

Who will replace Cummins and Hazlewood in the Australian Champions Trophy squad?

Australia coach McDonald has already hinted that Steve Smith, who is leading Australia in Cummins' absence in the ongoing tour to Sri Lanka, will be one of the captaincy options alongside Travis Head.

As for bowling replacements, Sean Abbott and Spencer Johnson are two names that could be considered, while Beau Webster will be in the running to fill the void of one vacant all-rounder's spot. The other spot could be taken by uncapped Mitchell Owen as suggested by Ricky Ponting.

Both Cummins and Hazlewood will require an extended period of rehabilitation before they receive the all-clear to return to play. Australia's next major international commitment after the Champions Trophy is the ICC World Test Championship Final against South Africa in June.

Following the two-game Test series against Sri Lanka, Australia will play a two-match ODI series in the leadup to the Champions Trophy, where the two-time winners are in Group B of the tournament along with England, South Africa and Afghanistan.

Australia's squad for Champions Trophy

Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, (4 replacements to be named).