NEW DELHI: Australia suffered additional setbacks on Thursday as captain Pat Cummins and veteran bowler Josh Hazlewood have been dominated out of the ICC Champions Trophy because of damage.
Cummins has nonetheless to get well from the ankle niggle that dogged him close to the tip of the latest Border-Gavaskar Trophy Check sequence in opposition to India and Hazlewood continues to be recovering from a calf difficulty.
Hazlewood’s final aggressive match was within the third Check match, which resulted in a attract Brisbane, in opposition to India.
This improvement nearly instantly adopted Mitchell Marsh’s withdrawal from the worldwide competitors after failing to get well from a again damage, and all-rounder Marcus Stoinis‘ sudden retirement from ODIs.
The workforce that had been battling accidents to vital gamers now faces a brand new choice dilemma after Stoinis, who was included within the nation’s Champions Trophy squad, abruptly introduced his retirement from the 50-over worldwide sport to “absolutely deal with the following chapter” of his profession.
“Sadly Pat, Josh and Mitch are managing some ongoing accidents and have not come up in time for the Champions Trophy,” nationwide choice panel chairman George Bailey mentioned on Thursday.
“Whereas disappointing, it does current an excellent alternative for different gamers to carry out for Australia in a world occasion,” mentioned Bailey.
Steve Smith or Travis Head may captain the defending ODI World Cup champions within the Champions Trophy, which begins in Pakistan on February 19, in Cummins’ place.
The workforce’s Champions Trophy marketing campaign will begin on February 22 in Lahore in opposition to previous rivals England. They may then play South Africa on February 25 in Rawalpindi and Afghanistan on February 28 in Lahore.
Each Cummins and Hazlewood, who’re each elite quick bowlers in their very own proper, would require a prolonged recuperation interval earlier than they’re cleared to play once more, casting query on their participation within the Indian Premier League, which comes after the ICC occasion.
Cummins is anticipated to steer Sunrisers Hyderabad, whereas Hazlewood was bought by Royal Challengers Bengaluru for Rs 12.50 crore throughout the participant public sale.
Following the Champions Trophy, Australia will play South Africa within the World Check Championship (WTC) closing at Lord’s in mid-June. The workforce want to begin their greatest lineup within the championship match.
