Australia on Monday announced their 15-man reserve squad for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, with Pat Cummins set to lead the squad.
Cummins recently confirmed that he will not travel to Sri Lanka with the Test team later this month due to an ankle problem.
Matt Short and Aaron Hardy have been called up for their first ICC event, while Nathan Ellis has also earned a spot. They were three changes to the team that won the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in India, replacing David Warner (retired), Cameron Green (back surgery) and Sean Abbott.
Ellis received the award after performing well in the Big Bash League against the Hobart Hurricanes, helping them qualify for the final of Australia’s domestic T20 tournament.
While all-rounders Matt Short and Aaron Hardy offer versatility for Pakistan, Ellis is an effective quick player who can open and close with the white ball.
Short has been a mainstay of Australia’s one-day internationals since Warner’s retirement in November 2023, with Hardy also making 11 appearances for Australia in 50-over cricket.
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Selection committee chairman George Bailey said: “We will provide the expedition management with a range of options depending on the opposition and the situation that may arise in Pakistan.”
Australia, who last won the Champions Trophy in 2009, will open the tournament against arch-rivals England in Lahore.
There was a question mark over the appointment of Pat Cummins.
His wife Becky is due to give birth to their second child when the Australian Test team tours Sri Lanka in late January. Adding to this, it was recently revealed that he was suffering from an ankle problem throughout the team’s successful Border-Gavaskar Test series.
Fellow quick Josh Hazlewood is also set to return to the squad after being sidelined during Australia’s Test series against India due to a calf problem. Like Cummins, Hazelwood has not traveled to Sri Lanka.
“This is a well-balanced and experienced squad with core members from the last One-Day World Cup, the West Indies series, last year’s successful tour of England and the recent Pakistan home series.” said Coach Bailey.
Australia are aiming to end a 15-year Champions Trophy drought after winning back-to-back titles in 2006 and 2009.
Australia’s 15-man reserve squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Pat Cummins (c), Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Aaron Hardy, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa
