Mitchell Marsh injury: Australia's star all-rounder ruled out of Champions Trophy 2025

Star Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh will be unable to compete in the Champions Trophy due to a back injury. He has been ruled out of the mega tournament and is not expected to return this season, which also make his participation doubtful in the upcoming edition of the IPL, where he will play with the Lucknow Super Giants.

He played only one BBL match on January 7 after the five-match Test series against Rohit Sharma-led Indian cricket team. However, he took a break from the final three BBL games to recover both physically and mentally to prepare for the upcoming edition of the Champions Trophy 2025.

The Australian selectors have now ruled Mitchell Marsh from the much-awaited mega tournament Champions Trophy because of his back injury which appears to be a serious issue. The problem was defined as "lower back pain and dysfunction" in a CA statement, but no further details were provided by the board.

"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," the statement said.

Despite having a poor run in the BBL until the very end and having struggling outings against Pakistan earlier in the season, Jake Fraser-McGurk might be a potential replacement. Although he has only reached the 50-run mark twice in 22 innings and has not yet faced 50 balls or more in List A cricket, his explosive power at the top makes him a like-for-like replacement for Marsh at No. 3.

Australia might select another all-rounder to replace Marsh because they already have a lot of batting cover in the squad. Had he not sustained a back ailment, Will Sutherland, who participated in ODI cricket last year, would have been on the September tour to England. Although Australia already has four batters who can bowl spin in the team, Cooper Connolly is another spin-bowling all-rounder to consider. Webster has not played ODI cricket but might be called upon if necessary.

Australia Champions Trophy 2025 squad: 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, (one further player to be added)