Australia’s Champions Trophy squad announced, injured Pat Cummins to captain & no Jake Fraser-McGurk

by · Inside Sport India

Australia have left out Jake Fraser-McGurk from the provisional squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025 while naming Pat Cummins as captain amid uncertainty over his participation

Australia have announced their provisional squad for Champions Trophy 2025, naming Pat Cummins as captain. The 15-member squad comprises of stalwarts like Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis among others and is an all-rounder heavy side. While the Aussies suffered a brief scare owing to Cummins’ ankle injury, it looks like he will be fit in time to lead the side in CT 2025., although there has been no official medical update provided yet.

Australia squad for Champions Trophy 2025 announced

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

Notably, opener Jake Fraser-McGurk has been left out of the provisional squad. The prolific opener made his ODI debut in 2024 but has failed to fire so far. In five 50-over matches, he has only scored 87 runs, averaging just 17.40. Hence, he has been dropped by the selectors.

Matt Short and Aaron Hardie have earned their maiden call-ups for an ICC event. Nathan Ellis has also received a call-up to the ODI squad. These are the only three changes made to the squad which won the ODI World Cup in 2023.

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“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,” chief selector George Bailey said.

Australia’s schedule for CT 2025

  1. February 25: Australia v South Africa, Rawalpindi
  2. February 28: Afghanistan v Australia, Lahore
  3. March 4: Semi-final 1, Dubai
  4. March 5: Semi-final 2, Lahore
  5. March 9: Final, Lahore or Dubai