Pat Cummins has been appointed as the captain of Australia’s squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy, despite suffering from an ankle injury. Despite his absence from the two-Test series against Sri Lanka, which he will skip for rest and family commitments, Cummins has been named in the 15-man preliminary squad for the tournament set in Pakistan this coming February.
Josh Hazlewood also features in the squad, though he was sidelined for three of the five Border-Gavaskar Tests due to injury. Like Cummins, Hazlewood will not participate in the Tests against Sri Lanka but will join for a one-off ODI in the country afterwards.
Selectors have highlighted the balanced and seasoned nature of the team, most of whom have participated in past global competitions, including the West Indies series, a successful tour of the UK, and a recent home series against Pakistan. According to George Bailey, chairman of selectors, the squad offers flexibility to adapt to various conditions expected in Pakistan.
Mitch Marsh, who was recently dropped from the Test squad, continues as the vice-captain for the one-day format and leads the T20 side. Australia’s last triumph in the Champions Trophy was in 2009, since then, India and Pakistan have taken the title.
The Champions Trophy squad for Australia includes: Pat Cummins (captain), 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, and Adam Zampa.