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Pat Cummins to Captain Australia’s Star-Studded Squad at Champions Trophy

Pat Cummins to Captain Australia's Star-Studded Squad at Champions Trophy

Pat Cummins has been named captain of Australia’s preliminary 15-man squad for the Champions Trophy 2025, which includes fast bowler Josh Hazlewood. The tournament will take place in Pakistan and the UAE from February 19 to March 9. Cummins will sit out the Test series in Sri Lanka in January and February for personal reasons but will return to lead the team in the one-day international competition.

Josh Hazlewood, who missed the final two Tests of the series win against India due to calf and side injuries, is set to rejoin the pace trio alongside Cummins and Mitchell Starc.

Read more: Shakib Al Hasan’s Champions Trophy Spot in Doubt After Failing Bowling Reassessment

This formidable bowling lineup has been a cornerstone of Australia’s cricketing success for over a decade. Opener Jake Fraser-McGurk has been excluded from the squad due to poor form, but most players from the victorious 2023 World Cup squad are included.

The team also features less experienced players like all-rounders Matt Short and Aaron Hardie, and fast bowler Nathan Ellis, all with fewer than 12 ODIs each.

Chief selector George Bailey described the squad as “balanced and experienced,” offering flexibility for different conditions in Pakistan. Australia, placed in a group with Afghanistan, England, and South Africa, aims to add another title to their Champions Trophy wins in 2006 and 2009.

Squad: 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, Adam Zampa.

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