In what has come as a major blow to Australia's aspirations of winning the Champions Trophy, star allrounder Mitchell Marsh has been ruled out of the tournament with a back injury, according to a report in ESPNCricinfo. He might not play again this season and his stint with the Lucknow Super Giants, who purchased him for Rs 3.4 crore, is also in doubt.

Marsh has endured a tough season and lost his Test place to Beau Webster for the final game against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground, having made 73 runs in seven knocks and performing a small role with the ball during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Marsh's fitness was a regular topic of discussion during the five-Test series and he wasn't at his best with either the ball or the bat. His back remained a serious problem and the George Bailey-led selection committee has ruled out of the Champions Trophy.

"Mitchell Marsh has been ruled out of the upcoming ICC Men's Champion's Trophy with ongoing lower back pain and dysfunction," Cricket Australia said in a statement released on Friday.

"The National Selection Panel and Australian men's medical team ruled Marsh out of the tournament with the injury which has not responded sufficiently to rehabilitation," the statement added.

With ODI and Test skipper Pat Cummins unavailable as he manages an ankle issue and with his wife Becky because of the birth of their second child, Marsh was seen as the replacement captain in case Cummins missed out.

With no 100% surety over Cummins availability and Marsh ruled out, Steve Smith might lead the side in the Champions Trophy, after the end of the two-Test series against Sri Lanka.

Australia will begin their campaign in the tournament with a match against arch-rivals England, on February 22 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

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