Sydney: Australia's two key pacers Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood will not feature in the upcoming ICC Men's Champions Trophy.
The absence of Cummins and Hazlewood rocks the Australia ranks even further, who are already without the injured Mitch Marsh and the recently retired Marcus Stoinis. This means the side will need four replacements for the upcoming Champions Trophy.
Cummins has not recovered from the ankle issue that plagued him during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25, while Hazlewood has developed a hip problem following earlier hip and calf
strains.
While the Aussies will miss Hazlewood's pinpoint accuracy and control, Cummins' absence would mean that they will miss on his inspiring leadership, stellar bowling and handy batting, an ICC report said.
Both fast bowlers 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.
Australia will name replacements in due course.
