Pat Cummins & Josh Hazlewood. Pic Credits: X

ICC Champions Trophy 2025: “Pat Cummins Is Unlikely To Play ICC CT 2025 & Josh Hazlewood Is Battling At The Moment”- Andrew McDonald Reveals Speedsters Unlikely To Play Marquee Tournament

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The defending champions of ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 Australia are facing problems after problems. The skipper Pat Cummins who initially was named in the ICC CT 2025 squad is more than doubtful for the championship. Pat Cummins isn’t a part of the ongoing Sri Lanka Tests nor ODI matches as he is nursing an ankle injury as well as waiting for the birth of his second child.

Despite Aussies winning ICC Champions Trophy twice in 2006 & 2009; their last 2 editions have been quite forgettable. In the 2013 & 2017 tournaments, they couldn’t qualify for the knock-out stage and were winless throughout the tourney. Already, Australia is in the group of death as they are set to face South Africa, England & Afghanistan as one colossal defeat can put their tournament in jeaopardy.

Pat Cummins hasn’t been able to resume any type of bowling- Andrew McDonald

Australia’s head coach Andrew McDonald was having an interaction with the media. Andrew McDonald stated that Pat Cummins won’t be a part of the squad. Andrew McDonald pointed out that Josh Hazlewood’s participation is also uncertain but didn’t give an official confirmation. Andrew McDonald said that Australian cricket team’s medical team will land over the information in a couple of days.

“Patty [Pat Cummins] is hugely unlikely which is a bit of a shame and we’ve also got Josh Hazlewood who is battling at the moment. Medical information will land over the next couple of days. We’ll be able to sure that up and let everyone know the direction. At the moment Pat Cummins hasn’t been able to resume any type of bowling, so he’s heavily unlikely. That would mean that we do need a captain,” said Andrew McDonald.

A Blow to the chest for Australia

The Aussies are already without Mitchell Marsh for ICC CT 2025 who is out with lower back pain & dysfunction. Josh Hazlwood played only 2 Tests in BGT 2024-25 and was ruled out due to calf strain. In all this chaos, there will be unimaginable pressure on Mitchell Starc who alone will have to lead the bowling attack.

The absence of Cummins & Hazlewood perhaps suggest that the all-rounder Aaron Hardie will have to be one of the frontline fast bowler. There’s no doubt that Aussies have a lot of all-rounders in their provisional squad but making the veteran all-rounder Marcus Stoinis bowl 7-8 overs won’t be a good option as he is quite injury prone.

Steven Smith & Travis Head are two options for captaining team in ICC CT 2025- Andrew McDonald

Andrew McDonald said that the replacement captain for Australia will be name in a couple of days time. Andrew McDonald pointed out that Steven Smith & Travis Head are the contenders to be the skipper for ICC CT 2025. Andrew McDonald gave a hint that Steven Smith can be the skipper given his track record in ODIs and also he is the skipper for Sri Lanka Tests.

“That (decision to find the replacement captain) will unfold in the next couple of days. Steve Smith and Travis Head are the two (options) we’ve been having conversations with. Steve has done a great job here in the Test match, he’s done some good work in one-day international cricket across the journey as well. It’ll be between those two,” said Andrew McDonald.

What lies ahead for Australia

Australia will have time till 12th February to make changes to their preliminary ICC CT 2025 squad. Sean Abbott the right arm fast bowler can make the cut for the squad; but in last 8 ODIs he has taken only 7 wickets which isn’t a great stat. Chief selector George Bailey might bring back Jhye Richardson in ODI setup despite playing his last ODI game in 2022. Jhye Richardson in Australia’s One Day 2024 cup had taken 9 wickets in 4 matches and can be an option.

Australia preliminary squad: Pat Cummins (c), Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.

With Cummins, Hazlewood & Marsh the dangerous trio potentially not likely to feature in competition, the Aussies don’t look a championship-winning side. We can see both Alex Carey & Josh Inglis in the side given Marsh is injured. Australia quickly needs to find a bit similar fast bowlers to Pat Cummins & Josh Hazlewood if they want to continue their ODI dominance.

Also Read: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: “I Didn’t Perform & Bowl As Well As I Would Have Liked In My Last 5 Games For Australia”- Sean Abbott Opens Up On Being Overlooked For Upcoming Marquee Tournament


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