Australia’s captain Pat Cummins, Australia’s Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne pose with the trophy after wining the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup final match against India in Ahmedabad. (AP)
Pat Cummins, who is battling with an ankle injury is named Australia’s captain in their preliminary 15-man squad for the Champions Trophy beginning on February 19 in Pakistan and the UAE.
“This is a balanced and experienced squad with the core having been involved in the previous one-day World Cup, the West Indies series, last year’s successful tour of the UK and the more recent Pakistan home series,” chairman of selectors George Bailey said.
“It offers a variety of options for touring management depending on opposition and the conditions that may present in Pakistan.”
Pacer Josh Hazlewood has also been named in spite of his own persistent injury issues.
Australia’s not-out batters Pat Cummins, right, and Mitchell Starc walk off the ground after their win over Pakistan during their one day international cricket match in Melbourne, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)
Australia have been drawn in Group B alongside Afghanistan, England and South Africa, with all their round robin matches to be played in Pakistan at Lahore and Rawalpindi.
The same squad will play Sri Lanka in a one-off ODI in Hambantota three days after the second Test in Galle. This will be Australia’s only warm-up fixture prior to their tournament opener against England in Lahore on February 22.
Australia preliminary squad
Pat Cummins (c), Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa
Australia Group B fixtures
February 22: Australia v England, Lahore
February 25: Australia v South Africa, Rawalpindi
February 28: Afghanistan v Australia, Lahore
March 4: Semi-final 1, Dubai
March 5: Semi-final 2, Lahore
March 9: Final, Lahore or Dubai
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