Australia shocked! Captain ruled out of ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Australia Cricket Team has faced a massive blow ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. T20I captain Mitchell Marsh has been ruled out the entire tournament with a back injury, and there are chances that he might miss the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.
Mitchell Marsh has been struggling with his back ever since the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 started. The pacer looked in pain but continued playing for Australia before he was dropped from the team as Beau Webster replaced him for the last match at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Following that, Mitchell Marsh played a single game in the Big Bash League, and after that,t, he was rested from the last three matches of the BBL season to mentally and physically refresh ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. However, it came as a big surprise that selectors ruled him out.
Mitchell Marsh has been ruled out of the upcoming ICC Men's Champion's Trophy with ongoing lower back pain and dysfunction - Cricket Australia
Cricket Australia released the official statement, saying that the all-rounder has been ruled out with lower back pain and dysfunction. The statement added that they made the decision, keeping in mind the long-term plan, adding that they will be naming a replacement soon.
"Mitchell Marsh has been ruled out of the upcoming ICC Men's Champion's Trophy with ongoing lower back pain and dysfunction. The National Selection Panel and Australian men's medical team ruled Marsh out of the tournament with the injury which has not responded sufficiently to rehabilitation.
"His lower back pain flared in recent weeks, leading the NSP to make the longer-term decision for Marsh to complete a more extended period of rehabilitation. Marsh will now undergo a period of further rest and rehabilitation as part of his return-to-play plan. The NSP will meet to decide on a replacement for Marsh in due course." Statement from Cricket Australia read.
Mitchell Marsh getting ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 comes as a huge blow. The all-rounder has been the key member of the team in the white-ball cricket. Since 2023, he has been sensational with the bat, as he has averaged 44.54 in ODIs with a strike rate of 109.13. Along with this, he also has been handy with the ball.
Cricket Australia are also mulling over the fitness of captain Pat Cummins as well. The pacer has been struggling with the ankle injury and there is no clarity over him as well. If both Marsh and Cummins get ruled out, then there will be headaches for the management as they won't have a captaincy option.
Steve Smith and Travis Head might be asked to take over the role then. Josh Inglis also is there as he recently led the team in home summer, both in T20Is and ODIs.
Also Read: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: India to travel to Dubai on this date; unlikely to play warmup game