Former skipper Ricky Ponting suggests that Australia should consider bringing in uncapped all-rounder Mitch Owen to replace injured Mitchell Marsh for their upcoming ICC Men’s Champions Trophy campaign.
Marsh who was ruled out of the ICC event of the upcoming event last month due to a back injury and national selectors have until February 12 to finalise his replacement and submit their final squad of 15 to the ICC.
As Australia hasn’t named a replacement yet, Ponting has suggested uncapped all-rounder Mitchell Owen’s name who shined recently in the Big Bash League and thinks the 23-year-old can make the step up to the international level quickly if given the chance.
“I’m not sure which way they’ll go, to be honest. I don’t know if you guys have been watching the BBL (Big Bash League), but we’ve had one young kid that’s just emerged out of nowhere, a kid called Mitch Owen, who has opened the batting for the Hobart Hurricanes,” told Ponting in a ICC review.
This would be a BIG call from Australian selectors ahead of the upcoming #ChampionsTrophy 🤔https://t.co/AUedszSmMc
— ICC (@ICC) February 4, 2025
“He’s also an all-rounder, probably more suited (as a replacement for Marsh). I mean, Mitch Marsh has batted in the top three in one-day cricket, mostly in the last couple of years anyway.
“Mitch Owen has opened the batting in T20 cricket and opened the batting for Tasmania in the (domestic ODI competition) Marsh Cup this season, which is our 50-over format.
“Look, honestly I’d be surprised if it is him, but I think the selectors now know that there is a really high-quality replacement there,” Ponting added.
Meanwhile, Australia’s head coach Andrew McDonald has revealed that Pat Cummins is likely to miss the ICC event as he is yet to recover from his ankle injury. As a result, Aussies will be looking for a new captain for the upcoming tournament.
As per Australia’s Champions Trophy schedule, their first match will be played against England on February 22 at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
Australia’s Preliminary Squad for 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.
