Marcus Stoinis and Pat Cummins (Source:@CricCrazyJohns/X.com)
The Champions Trophy 2025 is all set to kickstart from 19th of February and it promises to be a cracking tournament with eight quality teams in action. Pakistan won the last edition of Champions Trophy in 2017, but Australia are the reigning World Champions of the format and they are high expectations from them.
However, they with less than two weeks to go for the tournament, they have some big problems to resolved with four high-profile players out of the tournament. Pat Cummins, the regular skipper has been ruled out due to ankle injury while Josh Hazlewood is out due to calf injury.
Australia Hampered With String Of Injuries
Mitchell Marsh, the all-rounder has also been ruled out due to a back injury while Marcus Stoinis has surprisingly announced his retirement. So, Australia would have to bring in four new players in their original squad and let's see what would be their probable Champions Trophy squad after these setbacks.
Pat Cummins is known for his consistent lines and lengths and is a handy batter lower down the order. Sean Abbott is most likely to replace him as he has been in Australia's squad and backup pacer for a long time. He is a genuine wicket-taker and like Cummins, he can contribute with the bat as well. The right-arm pacer has 29 wickets in 26 matches and has two fifties with the bat, while his List A record is brilliant where he has 135 wickets in 95 matches at an average of 27.75. He is also an experienced cricketer which makes him a favourite to replace Cummins and played two ODIs out of the three in Australia's last ODI series.
Xavier Bartlett and Spencer Johnson In Battle To Replace Josh Hazlewood
In place of Josh Hazlewood, there are two options, one is Xavier Bartlett and other is Spencer Johnson. Both the players have played two ODIs so far and Bartlett has done well with eight wickets while Spencer is yet to get an ODI wicket. In List A cricket too, Bartlett has 31 wickets in 22 matches while Johnson has 10 wickets in as many games. So, with stats in Bartlett's favour and with Mitchell Starc, the left-arm pacer already in the squad, Aussies are likely to go with Bartlett.
| Player | List A | ODI Wickets |
|---|---|---|
| Xavier Bartlett | 31 (22 matches) | 8 |
| Spencer Johnson | 10 (10 matches) | 0 |
In place of Mitchell Marsh, Copper Connolly is likely to get a nod. He has played just two ODIs so far and does not boast of an impressive List A record, but the young man is highly rated and his all-round skills can be handy in Asian conditions. He bowls left-arm orthodox spin and is a quality batter which he has shown in first-class as well as T20 cricket.
The replacement for another seam-bowling all-rounder, Marcus Stoinis is likely to be Beau Webster. He is a like-for-like replacement with his seam-bowling and batting skills and recently made an impressive Test debut against India. In List A cricket, he averages 31.35 with the bat and has a hundred with seven fifties, while he has 44 wickets in 54 matches. He would bring the balance into the line-up just like Stoinis used to do, and Australia would be hoping that these players step up on big stage and help them win another ICC title.
Rest of the squad is likely to remain same as Australia already have lost their preferred players due to uncontrollable reasons. As far as captaincy is concerned, Steve Smith is the front-runner to replace Pat Cummins for the mega event as he has truckloads of captaincy experience. He is also leading Australia in the Lankan series with Pat Cummins injured and would be the best choice to lead a bunch of young and experienced stars.
Australia's Predicted Final Squad For Champions Trophy
Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Aaron Hardie, Sean Abbott, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Short, Steve Smith ©, Mitchell Starc, Xavier Bartlett, Adam Zampa, Copper Connolly, Beau Webster
 "Aashay Chopade")
