Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood Ruled Out: Less than two weeks are left for the Champions Trophy 2025 to begin, but the problems of world champion Australia have increased manifold. Mitchell Marsh has already been ruled out of the tournament, while Marcus Stoinis has also surprised everyone by retiring suddenly. Now Australia has suffered an even bigger blow as team captain Pat Cummins and star fast bowler Josh Hazlewood have also been ruled out of the Champions Trophy. Both the veteran fast bowlers of the team could not recover from their injuries on time and now they will not be a part of this tournament.

Australia's chief selector George Bailey said in a press conference on Thursday, February 6 that both the players will not be able to get fit on time. Cummins was injured during the Test series against India but he was a part of the entire series. Josh Hazlewood was out of the series during the third Test itself. Both these players have not been able to get fit since then. In such a situation, Cricket Australia will now have to announce a replacement.

"Unfortunately Pat, Josh and Mitch are managing some ongoing injuries and haven’t come up in time for the Champion’s Trophy," Bailey said.

"While disappointing, it does present a great opportunity for other players to perform for Australia in a world event."

Australia won the 2023 World Cup under Cummins' captaincy, in which Hazlewood also played an important role apart from him. In the absence of both of them, the responsibility of the bowling attack will now completely fall on left-arm star fast bowler Mitchell Starc. Australia has only till February 12, when they can make these changes in their squad without the permission of the ICC. After this, they will have to ask the ICC for any change.

Cummins and Hazlewood will require an extended period of rehabilitation before they receive the all-clear to return to play. Australia's next major international commitment after the Champions Trophy is the ICC World Test Championship Final in June.

Following the two-game Test series against Sri Lanka, Australia will play a two-match ODI series in the leadup to the Champions Trophy.

Team Australia are in Group B of the tournament along with England, South Africa and Afghanistan.

Australia's squad for Champions Trophy: Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa*.

*Four replacements to be named.