Champions Trophy: Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood Out Due To Injury

Australia has been dealt a significant blow ahead of the upcoming Champions Trophy, with both Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood ruled out due to injuries. The fast-bowling duo, who have been key players in Australia’s recent successes, will also miss the current Sri Lanka tour. Cricket Australia’s chief selector, George Bailey, confirmed the news on Thursday, revealing that the team will have to find replacements for both players ahead of the tournament.

Additional Key Absentees: Marsh and Stoinis Also Not Available

The injury worries do not end with Cummins and Hazlewood as the services of two other key players will also be unavailable to Australia. The first one is Mitchell Marsh, who has been bothered by a back injury. There is also news that Marcus Stoinis has shocked everybody by announcing his retirement. With the absence of these three players, there will be several vacancies in both batting and bowling departments for Australia.

Bailey said the team has to declare its replacements for Cummins, Hazlewood, Marsh, and Stoinis by 12th February and the series against Sri Lanka starts on the same date with the first ODI match to begin.

Probable Replacements in the Fray for the Sri Lanka Tour

With these key players not available, Australia is looking at several possible replacements who are currently part of the squad for the two-match series against Sri Lanka. Fast bowlers Sean Abbott and Spencer Johnson could be the front-runners for the vacant spots in the Champions Trophy squad, provided they perform well in the series.

There are a few more potential candidates to consider for the replacements:

– Tanveer Sangha: Promising leg-spinner who can add depth to the spin department.
– Cooper Conley: Spin all-rounder, which could be a welcome addition to the squad
– Jake Frazer McGurk: Solid batsman and potentially a key to meet the gap in the middle order.
– Bo Webster: Fast-bowling all-rounder with the potential to provide additional bowling options.

It appears that all these players are in the touring party of the Sri Lanka series, thereby getting a further opportunity to impress selectors before the final decision is reached.

Bailey on the Setback

George Bailey reacted to the loss of Cummins, Hazlewood, Marsh, and Stoinis stating that those absent were injuries or retirements the team was unfortunately facing. On the other hand, he still emphasized that some of these issues might have the door open for others to seize the opportunity to represent Australia at the World Cup, the grandest of competitions in international cricket.

“That is frustrating for those players, but it gives others a great chance to be a part of the team and represent Australia at the Champions Trophy,” Bailey said.

Captaincy in the Absence of Cummins

For starters, with Pat Cummins out of this tour, Australia will have to look for a new captain for the Champions Trophy. Without Cummins, two big names have popped up to lead the side – Steve Smith and Travis Head. Both carry massive international experience, and one of them is likely to become the captain during this crucial event.

Hope Fitness for WTC Final Comes Ahead of Tour

Cricket Australia still holds on to the hope that both Cummins and Hazlewood will return to full fitness in time for the World Test Championship final scheduled for June. The final, one of the most important cricketing fixtures, will be an important opportunity for the fast-bowling duo to return to the national team.

Australia Faces Key Selection Decisions

With a few key players out through injury and retirement, it’s going to be tough on Australia ahead of the Champions Trophy in terms of selection decisions. The absences might be a blow, but they also afford opportunities for fresher players to stake a claim for themselves on the international stage.

As the team prepares for the Sri Lanka series and sends in the replacements, everyone will be looking forward to seeing how these newer players go, potentially in a defining series for themselves.

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