Steve Smith, the star batter, will lead the Australian men in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, which is set to run from February 19 to March 9 across three venues in Pakistan and one in Dubai. On Wednesday (February 12), Smith was announced as Australia’s captain after Pat Cummins was ruled out for the eight-team tournament last week.
Replacements to the provisional squad, announced last month, Mitchell Starc, Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Marsh, and Marcus Stoinis are Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Spencer Johnson, Jake Fraser-McGurk, and Tanveer Sangha on Wednesday.
All-rounder Stoinis last week announced retirement from the 50 overs’ format of the game while Cummins, Hazlewood, and Marsh sat out of the upcoming eight-team ICC event for injury-related issues. Starc pulled out on Wednesday morning and has no intention of discussing his decision.
In the absence of the star fast bowling trio and two quality all-rounders, Hobart Hurricanes captain Nathan Ellis will lead Australia’s bowling attack and will have Abbott for support. Like Starc, Spencer is also a left-arm pacer and might be in the playing XI.
While fans had been shocked by the decision of Starc to pull out of the Champions Trophy on Wednesday, Cricket Australia, according to the chief selector George Bailey, has given its total support to the veteran of 127 ODIs.
In the end, Mitch had a choice and he would decide. George Bailey said, “Mitch is a hugely respected cricketer for his commitment to international cricket and for the way he prioritizes performing for Australia.”
Also, he said, “One must appreciate his well-documented ability to play through pain, discomfort, and neglect from various spheres of his career when it comes to putting his country first. Losing him is, of course, a setback for the Champion’s Trophy campaign but certainly opens opportunities for others to leave their stamp on the tournament.”
Australia opened its campaign on February 22 against England in Lahore, followed by a second Group B match against South Africa at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on February 25. Australia’s final group stage match is scheduled to be at Gaddafi Stadium on February 28 against Afghanistan.
Australia’s squad for Champions Trophy 2025:
Steve Smith (C), Sean Abbott, Alex Carey, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (WK), Spencer Johnson, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa.
Travelling reserve: Cooper Connolly
