Champions Trophy 2025: Big setback for Australia as star player ruled out with back injury, doubtful for IPL

Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh has been ruled out of the upcoming Champions Trophy, which is scheduled to take place from February 19 to March 9 in Pakistan and Dubai. This decision is because, despite continuous rehabilitation attempts, the lower back discomfort has not substantially improved.

Cricket Australia issued a statement confirming Marsh's absence from the Champions Trophy, a prestigious tournament that will feature top cricket talent in Pakistan and Dubai. There are also concerns regarding his availability for the Indian Premier League after the Champions Trophy.

"Mitchell Marsh has been ruled out of the upcoming ICC men's Champion's Trophy with ongoing lower back pain and dysfunction," CA said in a release.

"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," it added. 

The national selection panel will meet soon to choose Marsh's replacement, according to Cricket Australia. Marsh was included in the 15-man team for the upcoming tournament, which also includes Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, and Aaron Hardie, all of whom are all-rounders.

"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 deadline for the final squads for the ICC men's Champion's Trophy is before Wednesday 12 February,” CA said.

Lucknow Super Giants have secured the services of 33-year-old all-rounder Marsh for the upcoming 2025 edition of the IPL, which is set to kick off on March 23.

Marsh was left out of the final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in favor of Beau Webster, bringing an end to a disappointing performance across the four Tests. The right-arm medium pacer struggled to make a significant impact with the ball and only managed to reach double digits once in seven innings with the bat.

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