Australia may need to find three replacements for their 15-member squad ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, with skipper Pat Cummins and senior pacer Josh Hazlewood unlikely to take part in the marquee event.

The team has already suffered a setback with seasoned all-rounder Mitch Marsh getting ruled out of the tournament due to injury. The potential absence of both Cummins and Hazlewood could further reduce their chances of clinching a third Champions Trophy title.

The 50-over tournament is slated to be held in Pakistan and UAE from February 19 to March 9. Australia are slotted in Group B alongside Afghanistan, England, and South Africa.

Australia head coach Andrew McDonald on Wednesday (February 5) addressed the latest injury concerns, revealing that a new captain might be required for the ICC showpiece if Cummins is unavailable.

"Pat Cummins hasn't been able to resume any type of bowling, so he's heavily unlikely, so that would mean that we do need a captain," McDonald told Australian radio station SEN.

"Steve Smith and Travis Head are the two that we've been having conversations with while we've been building out that Champions Trophy team along with Pat back home. They'll be the two that we look at for that leadership post.

"They're the two obvious ones. Steve has done a great job here in the (first) Test match (against Sri Lanka). He's done some good work in one-day international cricket across the journey as well. So it's between those two.

"But, as I said, Patty is hugely unlikely, which is a bit of a shame, and we've also got Josh Hazlewood, who is battling (to be fit) at the moment. So that medical information will land over the next couple of days, and we'll be able to shore that up and let everyone know the direction."

February 12 is the deadline for the participating teams to submit their final 15-member squads to the International Cricket Council.

Australia legend Ricky Ponting recently advocated for uncapped all-rounder Mitch Owen’s inclusion as a potential replacement for Marsh. Sean Abbott and Spencer Johnson are among the pace-bowling options who could come into consideration if Cummins and Hazlewood are ruled out.

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