Australia could be forced into a last-minute batting order reshuffle ahead of their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final after Matthew Short suffered a quad injury in the final league match against Afghanistan. The injury, which severely hampered his movement, is expected to rule him out of the crucial knockout clash, leaving the Australian think tank with an important selection dilemma.
Short sustained the injury late in Afghanistan’s innings, and while he attempted to bat through the discomfort, his running between the wickets was visibly restricted. Opening alongside Travis Head, the aggressive right-hander managed to score 20 off 15 balls in a 44-run partnership before mistiming a shot to mid-on. Speaking after the match, Australian captain Steven Smith admitted that Short’s chances of recovering in time were slim.
“I think he’ll be struggling. We saw tonight that he wasn’t moving very well, and I think it’s probably going to be too quick between games for him to recover,” Steve Smith said.
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With Short likely ruled out, Australia has multiple options to consider. Jake Fraser-McGurk, who was added to the squad as a replacement for the injured Mitchell Marsh, could slot in as a direct replacement at the top of the order. Another possibility is bringing in all-rounder Aaron Hardie, depending on how the team wants to balance its playing XI.
“We’ve got a few guys there to come in, and we’ll be able to fill a job,” Steve Smith added, indicating the team’s confidence in its bench strength.
Should Short be officially ruled out, the team might also consider calling up travelling reserve Cooper Connolly. Apart from affecting Australia’s batting depth, Short’s absence removes a useful spin-bowling option. He played a key role against Afghanistan, conceding just 21 runs in his seven overs.
However, Australia still has part-time spin options in Head and Marnus Labuschagne, with the latter having already contributed crucial wickets earlier in the tournament. Adding to Australia’s uncertainty is the semi-final venue, which will only be confirmed after the India vs New Zealand clash. If South Africa tops Group B by defeating England, Australia will face the winner of India vs New Zealand.
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However, if England wins, Australia will meet the losing side of that encounter. If their semi-final is in Dubai, Australia will have just over 24 hours to prepare, with conditions expected to favor spin. However, a match in Lahore could work in their favour, as they have already played two group-stage matches there, including a high-scoring successful chase against England.
