Cricket Australia has officially announced its preliminary 15-man squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, set to kick off on February 19. Led by captain Pat Cummins, the squad welcomes fresh faces, including Matt Short and Aaron Hardie, marking their first call-ups for this prestigious global ICC event. The selection emphasizes all-round capabilities, aiming to strike the right balance of depth and versatility for the tournament hosted across Pakistan and the UAE.
Nathan Ellis, who had impressive performances pushing the Hobart Hurricanes to the BBL 14 finals, is also included. The trio of Short, Hardie, and Ellis replaces David Warner, Cameron Green, and Sean Abbott from the team who won the ODI World Cup 14 months ago. The departures stem from Warner's retirement, Green's back surgery, and Abbott's exclusion due to performance concerns as noted by selectors.
Although Cummins is expected to lead the charge, there’s uncertainty surrounding his participation due to an ankle injury sustained during Australia’s 3-1 Border-Gavaskar Trophy victory. Cummins is also opting out of the Test series against Sri Lanka to be present for the birth of his second child. If he remains unavailable, vice-captain Steve Smith is poised to take the reins.
Australia's group-stage matches will be held across Pakistan, with fixtures against England, South Africa, and Afghanistan taking place at the Gaddafi Stadium and Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Their single warm-up fixture is scheduled against Sri Lanka on February 16, just three days after the second Test match concludes.
Selector George Bailey highlighted the strategic depth of the team stating, "This is a balanced and experienced squad offering flexibility based on opposition and conditions." The squad incorporates key players from successful recent tours, including the World Cup and the series against West Indies and Pakistan.
According to Bailey, the inclusion of seam bowlers is particularly telling since they have historically found success in Pakistan's ODI conditions. Adam Zampa is the only specialist spinner named, supported by three prominent pacers and a squad of all-rounders, including Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Short, and Hardie.
Short has lit up performances across formats, particularly following Warner's retirement. His consistent scoring during ODIs and recent BBL standouts, including a match-winning century for the Adelaide Strikers, solidifies his selection. Hardie, who has contributed significantly during the UK tour, is managing a quad injury; nonetheless, he remains integral for his versatile skills.
Selectors have omitted Jake Fraser-McGurk, whose performance statistics present concern with just one half-century across recent domestic outings. The NSW Blues have influenced the squad deeply, with five players joining Cummins: Josh Hazlewood, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, and Adam Zampa, marking their continued impact on Australian cricket.
Australia's group matches are set to commence on February 22 against England, followed by clashes against South Africa on February 25 and Afghanistan on February 28. The Champions Trophy format features the top two teams from each group progressing to the semi-finals, with the final marked for March 9, likely at one of the venues in Lahore or Dubai.
Having not claimed the Champions Trophy since 2009, Australia is focused on reigniting their legacy at this historic event. This year’s edition marks the tournament’s return since its last play in 2017 and is anticipated to deliver exciting cricket action with the eight competing teams vying for supremacy.