
Australia’s preparations for the Champions Trophy 2025 have been significantly impacted by injuries to key bowlers Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood. With the tournament set to commence on February 19, the team faces critical decisions regarding replacements.
Pat Cummins’ Injury Concerns
Captain Pat Cummins has been managing an ankle injury sustained during the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India. His condition has prevented him from resuming bowling, casting doubt on his participation in the Champions Trophy.
Josh Hazlewood’s Recovery Status
Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has been sidelined with a calf injury since the Gabba Test. While he is progressing well in his recovery, his availability for the Champions Trophy remains uncertain.
Potential Replacements for Cummins and Hazlewood
In light of these uncertainties, Australia is considering several bowlers as potential replacements:
Scott Boland
Scott Boland has demonstrated exceptional performance when given the opportunity. In the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, he took 21 wickets in 3 Tests after replacing Hazlewood. Although he has played only 14 ODIs and taken 16 wickets, his accuracy and ability to trouble batters with the new ball make him a strong candidate.
Jason Behrendorff
Jason Behrendorff offers a left-arm pace option, complementing Mitchell Starc. He took 17 wickets in 10 matches of the Big Bash League, leading the wicket-takers. In ODIs for Australia, he has played 12 matches, taking 16 wickets with an economy rate of 5.28. Behrendorff can swing the ball both ways and is effective with the new ball.
Riley Meredith
Riley Meredith had a strong Big Bash League season, bagging 16 wickets in 10 matches. Though he has played only one ODI for Australia, Meredith’s pace and variations make him a valuable option. He can consistently bowl at speeds above 140 km/h, along with sharp bouncers and accurate yorkers, making him useful in the death overs.
Spencer Johnson
Spencer Johnson impressed in the T20I series against Pakistan, where he was named Player of the Series after taking 8 wickets in 3 matches. He took that form into the Big Bash League, picking up 13 wickets in 7 matches. Although he has played only 2 ODIs, his performances in T20s indicate that he has the potential to succeed in the 50-over format as well.
Impact on Australia’s Champions Trophy 2025 Campaign
The absence of Cummins and Hazlewood would significantly impact Australia’s pace attack. The team will need to assess the fitness and form of these potential replacements to ensure a competitive squad for the Champions Trophy.
Australia’s bowling lineup for the Champions Trophy 2025 faces uncertainty due to injuries to key players. The team must carefully consider the form and fitness of potential replacements to maintain their competitive edge in the tournament.
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ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Matches
Pakistan vs New Zealand - 1st Match, Group A | Bangladesh vs India - 2nd Match, Group A | Afghanistan vs South Africa - 3rd Match, Group B | Australia vs England - 4th Match, Group B | Pakistan vs India - 5th Match, Group A | Bangladesh vs New Zealand - 6th Match, Group A | Australia vs South Africa - 7th Match, Group B | Afghanistan vs England - 8th Match, Group B | Pakistan vs Bangladesh - 9th Match, Group A | Afghanistan vs Australia - 10th Match, Group B | England vs South Africa - 11th Match, Group B | New Zealand vs India - 12th Match, Group A | TBA vs TBA, 1st Semi-Final | TBA vs TBA, 2nd Semi-Final | TBA vs TBA, Final |
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Teams
PAKISTAN | NEW ZEALAND | BANGLADESH | INDIA | AFGHANISTAN | SOUTH AFRICA | AUSTRALIA | ENGLAND