Mitchell Marsh, who only featured in one Big Bash League (BBL) game and skipped three to rest before the Champions Trophy, has now been ruled out of the eight-team tournament. A media release by the Cricket australia (CA) cited “lower back pain and dysfunction” as the reason behind his exclusion. The nature of his back pain is such that he is unlikely to play again in this season, putting his IPL assignment with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in jeopardy.
Marsh, who won the Allan-Border Medal last year for his consistent performances across formats, has had a relatively subpar season this time around. During the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) his outings with the bat clearly reflected his struggles. That was not all, his injury concerns forced him to ball lesser than other bowlers throughout the series, forcing him to be finally released from the squad for the last two Tests.
Despite his struggles, this news comes as a huge setback for the Australian team. In addition to being the stand-in for Pat Cummins, Marsh was the side’s second-highest run scorer in the ODI World Cup 2023, the last time a 50-over format tournament was played.
“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.” a release by the CA read.
“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.”
Australia are now faced with a head scratcher as to who will replace Marsh in the squad. While Beau Webster was selected ahead of him for the final two BGT Tests, his inclusion in the squad would mean getting an uncapped player on board. The fast bowling all rounder Will Sutherland, who has only two ODI caps, is also among the contenders to replace Mitchell Marsh. Sutherland would be his like-for-like replacement since he brings fast bowling skills to the table as well. However, a final decision will be reached in due course, as told by the CA statement.
Besides Marsh, Australia will also be without the services of Cameron Green, who recovers from a back surgery he underwent last year in October. Add this to the concerns surrounding Pat Cummins’ presence in the eight-team tournament owing to an ankle injury from the Test tour versus India.
Teams have until February 11 to make changes to their squads without attaining permission from the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Australia’s squad for the Champions Trophy 2025
Pat Cummins (c), Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa
