Champions Trophy: Australia's Squad Hit Hard: Multiple Superstars Including Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood, and Stoinis Out; Steve Smith Named Captain

Australia's Champions Trophy squad faces a major overhaul after injuries and retirements force key changes

February 12, 2024: Australia’s Champions Trophy 2025 campaign suffered a massive blow with Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood ruled out due to injuries, while Marcus Stoinis announced his retirement from ODI cricket. These developments forced the Australian selectors to make significant changes, naming Steve Smith as the new captain.

Also Read: Champions Trophy 2025: Harshit Rana replaces injured Bumrah

Key Withdrawals & Squad Changes

• Pat Cummins (ankle) and Josh Hazlewood (side and calf) were already in doubt due to injuries.
• Mitchell Starc withdrew for personal reasons.
• Marcus Stoinis announced his retirement from ODIs last week.
• Mitchell Marsh was omitted earlier due to a back issue.

Chief selector George Bailey acknowledged the significant changes, stating:
"The squad has changed significantly over the past month on the back of some untimely injuries and the retirement of Marcus Stoinis."

Despite the setbacks, Bailey emphasized that several in-form players have been called up to the squad.

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New Captain: Steve Smith

Following these withdrawals, Steve Smith was named captain, stepping in after leading Australia to a 2-0 Test series victory over Sri Lanka earlier this month.

Also Read: Champions Trophy: Sunil Gavaskar Slams KL Rahul’s Dismissal: “Don’t Do Anything Stupid”

New Inclusions & Playing XI Options

• Spencer Johnson, Nathan Ellis, and Ben Dwarshuis fill the pace attack gaps.
• Aaron Hardie replaces Stoinis as the all-rounder.
• Tanveer Sangha joins Adam Zampa to strengthen the spin department.

Bailey reiterated that the team still has a strong core of experienced players, with flexibility to adapt the playing XI based on the opposition and conditions.

Australia’s Champions Trophy 2025 Squad

Steve Smith (captain), Sean Abbott, Alex Carey, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa

The Champions Trophy 2025 will be played in Pakistan and the UAE from February 19 to March 9.

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Australia Cricket, Champions Trophy 2025, Pat Cummins Injury, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Steve Smith Captain, Marcus Stoinis Retirement, Australian Squad Changes, ICC Cricket, Cricket News