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3 Potential Replacements For Pat Cummins In Australia's Champions Trophy 2025 Squad

Rajgeeta Yadav

Pat Cummins likely to miss Champions Trophy 2025 [Source: @cricketcomau/X]Pat Cummins likely to miss Champions Trophy 2025 [Source: @cricketcomau/X]

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Australia are facing a major setback ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025 as their star player, Pat Cummins, is likely to miss the tournament due to a sore ankle. With the tournament kicking off on February 19 in Pakistan and Dubai, the Aussies are scrambling to figure out how to fill the void left by their captain and ace bowler.

Cummins' absence would be a significant blow to the Australian squad, especially since they are already dealing with injuries to other key players. The ODI World Cup 2023 winners will need to make some big decisions, both in terms of captaincy and their bowling lineup. Mitchell Marsh is expected to step in as captain, but finding a bowler who can match Cummins' impact is the real challenge.

Here are three bowlers who could potentially replace Pat Cummins in Australia’s squad for the Champions Trophy:

Jhye Richardson

Jhye Richardson is a natural choice as a replacement for Pat Cummins. The 28-year-old fast bowler has the ability to swing the ball both ways, making him a deadly option with the new ball. He can partner with Mitchell Starc to form a strong pace attack. Richardson’s pace and accuracy make him a nightmare for batters, and he has the knack for picking up early wickets, which Australia will need in the powerplay overs.

If selected, Richardson’s inclusion would ensure Australia retains a balanced bowling attack with plenty of firepower up front.

Lance Morris

Nicknamed “The Wild Thing,” Lance Morris is another strong contender to replace Cummins. Morris is known for his raw pace and aggressive bowling style. He’s more of a hit-the-deck bowler, which makes him effective on bouncy pitches.

While he may not be the best option with the new ball, Morris can be devastating in the middle overs when the ball softens up. His ability to generate pace and bounce adds a different dimension to Australia’s bowling attack. Pairing him with Mitchell Starc and Sean Abbott could give Australia a lethal pace trio.

Xavier Bartlett

Xavier Bartlett is another potential like-for-like replacement for Pat Cummins. The young fast bowler has been performing consistently in Australia’s domestic circuit and the Big Bash League (BBL). Bartlett is known for his ability to hit good lengths and extract movement off the pitch, which can trouble batters in subcontinental conditions.

Bartlett’s ability to maintain pressure and bowl tight lines makes him a reliable option, especially in high-pressure games like the Champions Trophy.

Given the subcontinental conditions, Australia might also consider bringing in an additional spinner instead of a fast bowler. They already have Glenn Maxwell (right-arm off-break) and Adam Zampa (leg-break googly), but a left-arm spinner could provide more variety. Matthew Kuhnemann, a slow left-arm orthodox bowler, could be a great addition to Australia’s squad.