Cricket Australia has announced its 15-man squad for the ICC Champions Trophy starting February 19. The team includes new faces like Matthew Short and Aaron Hardy.
Nathan Ellis benefited from his performance in the BBL The squad has been selected keeping in mind all aspects, so that there is a balance in the squad for the tournament being held in Pakistan and UAE. Nathan Ellis, who was instrumental in leading Hobart Hurricanes to the final of BBL 14, has been included in the squad. The trio of Short, Hardy and Ellis replaces David Warner, Cameron Green and Sean Abbott from the team that won the ODI World Cup 14 months ago.
Warner has retired from international cricket. Green is out of the tournament due to back surgery.
The captaincy rests with the injured Pat Cummins The captaincy of the team has been handed over to Pat Cummins, although his performance in the tournament is doubtful. Cummins injured his ankle during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Cummins will also not play on the Sri Lanka tour for the birth of her second child. In his absence, Steve Smith may lead the team for the two-Test series.
Pat Cummins was injured during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Australia will play its group stage match in Pakistan Australia will play all its group stage matches in Lahore and Rawalpindi, Pakistan. It is placed in Group B. Afghanistan, England and South Africa teams are included in this group.
Australia will play only one practice match before the Champions Trophy Before the tournament, the Australian team will play only one practice match. Before the Champions Trophy, the Australian team is on a tour of Sri Lanka for a two-Test series and an ODI. The second Test against Sri Lanka ends on February 10. The only ODI match is on February 13.
Australia's squad for the ICC Champions Trophy Pat Cummins (capt), Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Aaron Hardy, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.
Image Credit: Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).