MELBOURNE: Australia faces a major setback as key pacers Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have been ruled out of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, starting February 19.
The duo’s absence, alongside injured Mitchell Marsh and recently retired Marcus Stoinis, leaves Australia needing to make four changes to their preliminary squad for the tournament.
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On the same day, Marcus Stoinis announced his immediate retirement from ODI cricket, further compounding Australia’s challenges ahead of the final squad announcement after the current Test match in Galle.
Mitchell Marsh, struggling with a worsening back injury during rehabilitation, had already withdrawn from the squad.
Cummins remains sidelined due to an ankle injury sustained during the Border Gavaskar Trophy, while Hazlewood has developed a hip issue, following earlier hip and calf strains.
Both players require extended rehabilitation, casting doubt over their availability for the Indian Premier League following the Champions Trophy.
Australia’s next international commitment after the ICC tournament is the World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord’s in mid-June.
