Mitch Owen went from local lad to hero after hitting the fastest hundred in the Big Bash League Final and the join-fastest in tournament history. He not only helped Hobart Hurricanes win the BBL title by defeating former champions Sydney Thunders in the final but also ended their 14-year-long trophy drought. Mitch Owen, a 23-year-old breakout star of the Big Bash League 2024–25, was quickly signed by Paarl Royals, the current SA20 table-toppers. The tall Tasmanian batter had a robust season with a season-high 452 runs.
Mitch Owen's batting prowess in the Big Bash final has paid off immediately since the Tasmanian secured his first international contract in South Africa, where Marcus Stoinis may have sustained a hamstring injury that might hamper his Champions Trophy preparation.
Owen replaces Joe Root in the squad
English star Joe Root who left the tournament midway due to International duty, will be replaced by Owen in the Royals' team. Given how the senior batter's campaign went, Owen will need to start working right away for the league-winning team. Root is a member of England's ODI squad for the three-match series against India, which will be followed by the Champions Trophy. With 279 runs with a strike rate of 140 and an average of 55, Root finished his stay as the competition's third-highest scorer.
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Marcus Stoinis injury
Marcus Stoinis who is currently part of Durban Super Giants in the ongoing edition of the SA20 League was forced to leave the field due to a hamstring issue. He did not complete his third over. He took the field again in the slog overs but left again after getting medical attention from the physio. Super Giants lost the match and have been eliminated from the playoffs race with their sixth loss of the season.
"He just felt something in his hamstring," Maharaj said. "I don't think it was too serious but obviously the logical thing to do as a fast bowler is to go off the field. So I'm sure the medical staff will assess and then communicate with Cricket Australia. But I think he'll be okay. He's a soldier, he's a fighter and he's a big unit so I'm sure he'll be okay," said Keshav Maharaj after the match.
Australia who won the ODI World Cup 2023 is one of the contenders to win the upcoming edition of the Champions Trophy and will begin its campaign with the clash against England on February 22 in Pakistan.