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Cummins, Hazlewood Out; 3 Probable Major Changes In Australia's Champions Trophy Squad

Debashis Sarangi

Marsh ruled out, Hazlewood, Cummins likely to miss Champions Trophy [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/X]Marsh ruled out, Hazlewood, Cummins likely to miss Champions Trophy [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/X]

Australia have suffered a huge setback before the ICC Champions Trophy, with ace speedsters Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood likely to be ruled out of the tournament due to injury. Australia's head coach Andrew McDonald stated that the veteran pace duo have yet to recover from their respective injuries and are unlikely to participate in the marquee event. 

For the unversed, experienced all-rounder Mitchell Marsh has already been ruled out of the tournament, and Australia are yet to announce a replacement for him. In such a scenario, the 2009-edition champions are expected to make three major changes to their final Champions Trophy squad, as mentioned below. 

1. Pat Cummins Out, Sean Abbott In?

  • Australian captain Pat Cummins will likely miss the Champions Trophy due to an ankle injury. If he gets ruled out, Australia might name Sean Abbott as his like-for-like replacement. 
  • Abbott has always been in Australia's scheme of things in white-ball cricket. In 26 ODIs, the right-arm pacer has bagged 29 wickets at an average of 39.4. Besides striking at crucial junctures, Abbott can be a handy contributor with the bat lower down the order. So, if Cummins misses out, Abbott might get the first preference as his replacement, with either Steve Smith or Travis Head leading the team. 

2. Mitchell Marsh Out, Cooper Connolly In?

  • Australia's dynamic top-order batter Mitchell Marsh has been ruled out of this year's Champions Trophy due to a back injury. 
  • Although there are several quality top-order batters in the reckoning, Australia might consider picking Cooper Connolly as Marsh's replacement. With Aaron Hardie and Marcus Stoinis playing as the seam-bowling all-rounders, Connolly's left-arm spin can ensure variety in Australia's lineup. 
  • The swashbuckling southpaw recently enjoyed stellar success in the Big Bash League, scoring 351 runs at a superb average of 50.14 and a strike rate of 131.46. Thus, his red-hot recent form and multi-dimensional skills might pave the way for Connolly's selection in Australia's Champions Trophy squad. 

3. Josh Hazlewood Out, Xavier Bartlett In?

  • Australia's veteran pacer Josh Hazlewood will likely miss the Champions Trophy due to a calf injury and side strain. According to McDonald, Hazlewood is highly unlikely to get fully fit before the showpiece event. 
  • Thus, if Hazlewood gets ruled out, Australia might bring Xavier Bartlett as his replacement. Hailed for his ability to make the new ball talk, Bartlett was a force to reckon with the ball for Brisbane Heat in BBL 2024-25, scalping twelve wickets in nine innings. 
  • In 22 List-A games, the right-arm speedster has bagged 31 wickets, while scalping eight wickets in just two ODIs. So, he could be the frontrunner to replace Hazlewood and can make his mark in the Champions Trophy.