The ICC Champions Trophy preparations of Australia suffered major setbacks because of crucial injuries coupled with unclear leadership situations. The beefed-up question for this prestigious competition demands identification of a new team leader because captain Pat Cummins and top bowler Josh Hazlewood continue to recover from prolonged injuries.
George Bailey of the selection committee disclosed on Thursday that Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood cannot join the team due to remaining injuries. According to Bailey “These players need to manage their persistent injuries so they cannot participate in the Champions Trophy,” he declared to the media.
The Australian cricket team faces two new challenges after Mitchell Marsh received a back injury that forced his replacement and Marcus Stoinis announced his retirement from ODI play. The initial January 13 squad selection needs a minimum of four replacements because of recent team injuries.
All players will be required to submit their final squads todığında with the start of the two-game ODI series against Sri Lanka in Colombo. The selection team strengthened the team by adding three pacers named Sean Abbott, Spencer Johnson and Ben Dwarshuis and three players who can bat and spin including Cooper Connolly and Jake Fraser-McGurk and Tanveer Sangha.
A leadership vacuum after Cummins’s withdrawal made Steve Smith and Travis Head emerging candidates for the captaincy role. The final squad for Champions Trophy is being finalized by the selection process involving Steve Smith and Travis Head according to head coach Andrew McDonald during his SEN radio appearance.
A successful run in the upcoming February 22 opening against England South Africa and Afghanistan requires these leadership and team adjustments to become vital factors to help Australia win their second Champions Trophy title after 2009.
