Champions Trophy team: Pat Cummins has been appointed as captain of Australia’s preliminary 15-man team for the next Champions Trophy. Matches will be played in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates when the event starts on February 19. Cummins will return to captain the team in the main event after missing the Test series in Sri Lanka due to personal circumstances.
Australia’s renowned pace trio, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins, reunite with the team. Hazlewood is anticipated to make a successful return after missing the last two Test matches in the series victory over India because of side and calf problems. Nathan Ellis strengthens the pace unit even further, giving Australia’s bowling attack more depth and variation.
Aaron Hardie and Matt Short, two up-and-coming all-rounders who are versatile with the bat and the ball, have been added. Their participation demonstrates Australia’s emphasis on striking a balance between bringing in new talent and experience. Jake Fraser-McGurk, the opener, is left out since he hasn’t been playing well lately.
Notably, 12 members of the team that won the 2023 ODI World Cup are back, guaranteeing experience and stability.
In a press statement, head selector George Bailey said, “This is a balanced and experienced squad.”
“It offers a variety of options for touring management depending on opposition and the conditions that may present in Pakistan.”
Last contested in 2017, the Champions Trophy was won by Australia in 2006 and 2009.
Only the matches featuring India will be held in the UAE for political concerns during the tournament’s ninth edition, which will take place mostly in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9.
For the first group stage, Australia has been drawn with South Africa, England, and Afghanistan.
Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa, and Pat Cummins lead the squad. (Nick Mulvenney reported, Neil Fullick edited.)
