Australia have included their premier pacers Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood in their 15-member preliminary squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The tournament begins from February 19.
Australia are looking for their first title since 2009. To bolster their squad this time around, they have banked on their all-rounders. Matt Short and Aaron Hardie have been picked as all-rounders. Nathan Ellis has also been selected on the back of his brilliant performance in the BBL this season.
The trio of Short, Hardie and Ellis replaces David Warner, Cameron Green and Sean Abbott that played in the last ODI World Cup in India. Australia skipper Pat Cummins has been picked in the preliminary side despite him being rested for the Sri Lanka Test series. Cummins is currently on paternity leave and will also do scans for an ankle injury he picked up in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Previously the BCCI seeked an extension from the ICC to name their Champions Trophy squad.
"This is a balanced and experienced squad with the core having been involved in the previous one-day World Cup, the West Indies series, last year's successful tour of the UK and the more recent Pakistan home series. "It offers a variety of options for touring management depending on opposition and the conditions that may present in Pakistan" said chief of selectors, George Bailey.
Australia To Play Tests Against Sri Lanka Before Champions Trophy 2025
Australia kick off their Champions Trophy campaign against England at Lahore on February 22. They then take on South Africa on February 25 in Rawalpindi. The Aussies play their final league game against Afghanistan in Lahore on February 28. In case Australia play the final against India, the match will be played in Dubai on March 9.
Before the Champions Trophy, Australia will play a two-match Test series against Sri Lanka led by Steve Smith. As said earlier, Pat Cummins has been given a paternity leave.
Australia Squad For Champions Trophy 2025:
Pat Cummins (C), Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa
