In a bold and unexpected move, former Australian captain Ricky Ponting shared his choice for the replacement of injured Mitch Marsh in their squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Marsh, a pivotal figure in Australia’s limited-overs setup, suffered a back injury that ruled him out of the prestigious tournament. Australian selectors have until February 12 to finalize his replacement and submit their official 15-member squad to the ICC.
Ricky Ponting reveals his choice as replacement of Mitchell Marsh
While Australia have yet to announce a replacement for Marsh, Ponting has thrown a wildcard name into the mix. Speaking on The ICC Review, Ponting believed that Mitchell Owen, who dominated the recent Big Bash League (BBL) season, has the potential to make an immediate impact on the international stage.
“I’m not sure which way they’ll go, to be honest. I don’t know if you guys have been watching the BBL, 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,” Ponting said.
Owen’s performance in the BBL turned heads as he finished as the leading run-scorer, amassing 452 runs at an astonishing strike rate of 203.60. Additionally, he demonstrated his all-round abilities by picking up three wickets with his medium pace. His remarkable form also earned him a contract with the Paarl Royals in the SA20 2025.
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Batting and all-round potential
Ponting further emphasized that Owen’s skillset aligns well with Marsh’s role in the Australian ODI setup. Despite his advocacy for Owen, Ponting admitted that the move would be an unconventional choice for the selectors.
“He’s also an all-rounder, probably more suited as a replacement for Marsh. Mitch Marsh has batted in the top three in one-day cricket, mostly in the last couple of years. Mitch Owen has opened the batting in T20 cricket and has also opened for Tasmania in the Marsh Cup this season, which is our domestic 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 concluded.
Australia’s Champions Trophy 2025 campaign
Australia, the five-time ODI World Cup winners, will kick off their Champions Trophy campaign against England on February 22 at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. As they prepare for the tournament, the selection of a replacement for Marsh will be a crucial decision. If Australia opts for an experienced campaigner, they might lean towards an established all-rounder. However, if they choose to back youthful exuberance and raw talent, Owen could find himself making a surprise international debut on one of cricket’s biggest stages.
With selectors weighing their options, Ponting’s endorsement of Owen has added an intriguing narrative to Australia’s Champions Trophy preparations. Whether the selectors take the risk or opt for a more conventional choice remains to be seen, but Owen’s meteoric rise in domestic cricket certainly makes him a contender worth considering.