Australia to Miss Five Key Players in Champions Trophy

Sports Desk

The Australian cricket team faces a significant setback ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy as they will be without three star pacers—Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc. Cummins and Hazlewood are sidelined with injuries, while Starc has withdrawn due to personal reasons. Their absence weakens Australia’s pace attack.

Cricket Australia has named Steve Smith as captain in Cummins’ absence. Sean Abbott, Spencer Johnson, and Ben Dwarshuis have been added to the squad to bolster the pace department. In the all-rounder category, Jake Fraser-McGurk and Tanveer Sangha replace Mitchell Marsh and Marcus Stoinis, who are unavailable due to injury and retirement, respectively.

Australia, placed in Group B alongside England, South Africa, and Afghanistan, faces a challenging path in the tournament, which begins on February 19.

Australia’s Final Squad for the Champions Trophy:

Steven Smith (Captain), Jake Fraser-McGurk, Alex Carey, Matthew Short, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Aaron Hardie, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Adam Zampa, Sean Abbott, Nathan Ellis, Spencer Johnson, Ben Dwarshuis. Reserve: Cooper Connolly.