Matthew Short and Aaron Hardy secured a place in the ICC tournament for the first time.
Cricket Australia has announced its 15-member squad for the ICC Champions Trophy which begins on February 19.
The team includes new faces like Matt Short and Aaron Hardy, both of whom were selected for an ICC event for the first time.
Nathan Ellis benefited from his BBL performance. The team has been selected keeping all aspects in mind, so that there is a balance in the team during the tournament being held in Pakistan and UAE. Nathan Ellis, who played a key role in taking the Hobart Hurricanes to the BBL 14 final, has been included in the squad. The trio of Short, Hardy and Ellis replaced David Warner, Cameron Green and Sean Abbott from the team that won the ODI World Cup 14 months ago.
Warner retired from international cricket. Green is out of the tournament due to back surgery.
The team’s captaincy was handed to the injured Pat Cummins, although there were doubts about his participation in the tournament. Cummins injured his ankle during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Cummins will also not take part in the tour to Sri Lanka for the birth of his second child. In his absence, Steve Smith can captain the team for the two-Test series.
Pat Cummins was injured during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Australia will play all their group stage matches in Pakistan. Australia will play all their group stage matches against Pakistan in Lahore and Rawalpindi. It was placed in Group B. This group includes teams from Afghanistan, England and South Africa.
Before the Champions Trophy, Australia will only play one practice match. Before the tournament, the Australian team will only play one practice match. Before the Champions Trophy, the Australian team tours Sri Lanka for a two-Test series and an ODI match. The second Test against Sri Lanka will conclude on February 10. The only ODI match will take place on February 13.
The team’s only spin specialist: Pakistan’s pitch is suited to seam bowlers, hence the team’s only spin specialist Adam Zampa has been included. There are versatile players like Glenn Maxwell and Matt Short who can also rotate. Apart from this, three fast bowlers are included. The team also has three all-rounders in Mitchell Marsh, Marcus Stoinis and Aaron Hardy. Which even medium fast bowlers can do.
Selector George Bailey said – Speaking on the team’s strategy, selector George Bailey said that the team includes key players from recent successful tours including the World Cup, West Indies series and the Pakistan home series. This team is a balanced and experienced team that has the ability to do better in any situation.
“This is a balanced and experienced team that offers flexibility depending on the opposition and circumstances,” Bailey said. Seam bowling has always been more effective in Pakistan’s ODI matches, and the team structure reflects this. Adam Zampa is the only specialist spinner, supported by three fast all-round bowlers including Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Short and Hardy.
Australia’s squad for the ICC Champions Trophy consists of Pat Cummins (captain), 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
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