Champions Trophy: Pat Cummins to lead as Australia announce 15-member squad
Australia have announced their 15-member preliminary squad for the Champions Trophy. Injured fast bowlers Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have been named in the side.
by India Today Sports Desk · India TodayIn Short
- Champions Trophy is set to start on February 19
- Australia name squad for Champions Trophy
- Injured fast bowling duo have been named in the side
Australia have announced their preliminary squad for the Champions Trophy 2025. Chief of selectors George Bailey named 15 players in the squad, including the injured fast bowling duo Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood. Cummins, who is the ODI captain of Australia, is currently on a family break after the team's victorious Border-Gavaskar Trophy campaign. While the break was decided beforehand, Australia notified after the Test series that Cummins had an injury concern as well.
Bar Cummins, pacer Josh Hazlewood has also been named in th side, despite missing half the Border-Gavaskar Trophy due to a back injury. Australia have named a strong squad, which includes two fresh call-ups (for ICC tournament) - Matt Short and Aaron Hardie. Short has been in blazing form off late, and has hit a hundred in the Big Bash League against Brisbane Heat.
Australia have made three changes to their regular squad. Short replaces David Warner, who retired from international cricket at the start of 2024. Injured Cameron Green has been ruled out, while Sean Abbott has missed the 15-member pack.
Australia Preliminary Squad for Champions Trophy
Pat Cummins (c), Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa
Australia pacer Nathan Ellis has been rewarded for strong Big Bash League form with the Hobart Hurricanes, who have locked in a finals berth in Australia's domestic T20 tournament. All-rounders Matt Short and Aaron Hardie will offer the side much-needed versatility in the tiring wickets of Pakistan and UAE.
Short has been a One Day International mainstay for the Aussies wince Warner's retirement in November 2023, while Hardie has also represented Australia in the format cricket 11 times.
"It offers a variety of options for touring management depending on the opposition and the conditions that may present in Pakistan," said selection chair George Bailey.
Australia, who last won the ICC Men's Champions Trophy in 2009, will open their campaign against arch-rivals England in Lahore.
Australia's Group Stage Fixtures
22 February - Australia vs England, Lahore
25 February - Australia vs South Africa, Rawalpindi
28 February - Australia vs Afghanistan, Lahore