Cricket Australia (CA) on February 12 announced their squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 led by Steve Smith. Surprisingly, left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc has pulled out of the tournament due to personal reasons. This means Australia will be without their frontline pace-bowling attack featuring Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Starc.
"We understand and respect Mitch's decision," chair of selectors George Bailey said. "Mitch is deeply respected for his commitment to international cricket and the priority he places on performing for Australia.
"His well documented ability to play through pain and adversity, as well as forgoing opportunities in other parts of his career to put his country first should be applauded. His loss is of course a blow for the Champions Trophy campaign but does provide an opportunity to someone else to make a mark on the tournament."
With Mitchell Marsh out due to back injury and Marcus Stoinis announcing retirement, the five new additions to the squad are Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Spencer Johnson and Tanveeer Sangha. Also, young all-rounder Cooper Connolly has been picked as travelling reserve. All the players getting a late entry into the Champions Trophy squad will have a chance to repay the selectors' faith in the two-ODI series against Sri Lanka starting February 12 in Colombo.
Australia Champions Trophy squad
Steve Smith (c), Sean Abbott, Alex Carey, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa. Travelling reserve: Cooper Connolly.
Bailey backs new-look squad
"The squad has changed significantly over the past month on the back of some untimely injuries and the retirement of Marcus Stoinis," Bailey said. "The upside of that is that we have been able to call on players who have had international exposure and success over the past 12 months.
"A strong core of some our most experienced players will provide a strong foundation in our attempt to win this edition of the Champions Trophy. We have a range of options to shape the playing XI within the tournament depending on the opposition and conditions we face."
Australia's schedule for Champions Trophy
Australia have been placed alongside England, South Africa and Afghanistan in Group B. Their first clash is against England at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on February 22. They will go up against the Proteas at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on February 25. Then, they will return to Lahore to face Afghanistan on February 28.