Australia power-hitter Mitchell Marsh will miss the Champions Trophy with a back injury

Australia is in search for a replacement to its Champions Trophy side after losing one of its more important players to injury.

Australia has been dealt a major blow on the eve of the Champions Trophy, with power-hitter Mitchell Marsh set to miss the upcoming tournament through a back injury.

Marsh, the reigning Allan Border medallist, won Australia’s One-Day International player of the year in 2024 and was one of Australia’s captaincy options if Pat Cummins wasn’t able to return from an ankle issue.

Cricket Australia said Marsh’s lower back didn’t respond to rehabilitation and left the selectors with no choice but to rule him out for an extended period.

The injury comes after Marsh was dumped from the Test team before the Boxing Day Test against India.

“His (Marsh) lower back pain flared in recent weeks leading the NSP (National Selection Panel) to make the longer term decision for Marsh to complete a more extended period of rehabilitation,” Cricket Australia said.

“Marsh will now undergo a period of further rest and rehabilitation as part of his return to play plan.”

Cricket Australia said the selectors would meet to find Marsh’s replacement in due course.

Mitchell Marsh is out of the Champions Trophy. . (Photo by R.Satish BABU / AFP)

They have until the Wednesday, February 12 deadline to find his squad replacement.

Marsh’s injury adds Cummins race against the clock and Marcus Stoinis’ hurt hamstring while playing in South Africa’s Twenty20 competition.

After hitting an unbeaten 55 off 40 balls for the Durban Super Giants against Paarl earlier this week, the Australian all-rounder bowled a two-over spell but then only three more balls before leaving the field with what looked to be a hamstring problem.

“He just felt something in his hamstring,” DSG captain Keshav 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.