Cummins, Hazlewood Ruled Out: Australia Faces Squad Overhaul for Champions Trophy 2025

Australia's preparations for the 2025 Champions Trophy have been dealt a major blow with skipper Pat Cummins and key pacer Josh Hazlewood officially ruled out due to injuries. This adds to their woes, as all-rounder Marcus Stoinis recently retired from ODIs, and Mitchell Marsh has withdrawn due to a back injury.

Chief selector George Bailey confirmed the news, stating that while the absences are disappointing, they provide opportunities for other players to step up in a global event. Hazlewood has been dealing with hip and calf strains, while Cummins is still recovering from an ankle injury sustained during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

With Cummins out, Australia will also need a new captain for the tournament. Head coach Andrew McDonald revealed that discussions have been ongoing with Steve Smith and Travis Head regarding leadership duties. Smith, an experienced captain, has led the team before, while Head has emerged as a dependable senior figure in the squad.

Australia is placed in Group B and will kick off their campaign against England on February 22. They will then face South Africa on February 25, followed by a match against Afghanistan on February 28. The semifinals are scheduled for March 4 and 5, with the final set for March 9.

With key players missing, Australia faces a significant challenge in defending their title. However, this opens doors for fresh talent to prove themselves on the international stage. The coming weeks will be crucial as the selectors finalize the replacements and announce the new captain to lead the squad in this prestigious eight-team tournament.