Champions Trophy shock! Australia’s star batter may miss crucial semi-final

Australia’s preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final have been dealt a blow, with opener Matthew Short sustaining a knee injury during their rain-affected match against Afghanistan at Gaddafi Stadium on February 27.

The injury has cast serious doubt over Short’s availability for the knockout fixture, where Australia will face either India or New Zealand next week.

Having already secured a semi-final berth after the washout, the team’s qualification celebrations were tempered by concerns over Short’s fitness.

Australian captain Steve Smith acknowledged the severity of the injury, revealing that Short was struggling to walk, making his participation in the semi-final highly unlikely. In response, the Australian team management has named Jack Fraser-McGurk as a potential replacement should Short fail to recover in time.

With a crucial clash ahead, Australia will be closely monitoring Short’s condition as they aim to maintain their campaign’s momentum.