With Pat Cummins leading the (2006 and 2009) winners, Australia named a 15-man early selection for the International Cricket Council Champions Trophy 2025, which will be hosted by Pakistan starting on the 19th of February 2025.

After it was made public that Pat Cummins will not be joining the Test squad in Sri Lanka earlier this month owing to an ankle injury, questions came up over his future participation. However, he was chosen captain and will now skipper Australia in the tournament.

It is believed that his wife Becky will give birth to the couple’s 2nd child during Australia’s Test team’s visit to Sri Lanka in late January. He had an ankle injury during his team’s successful Border-Gavaskar Test series in Australia, it was recently discovered.

Josh Hazlewood, a fellow pacer with Pat Cummins, will also return after leaving Australia’s Test series against India due to a calf injury midway through.

Meanwhile Fast Matt Short and Aaron Hardie have been called up for their initial squad calls for an ICC tournament, and Nathan Ellis has also gained a spot. The squad that won the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 included these (3) players in place of Sean Abbott, Cameron Green (who had back surgery), and David Warner (who is retired).

Also Read: Fakhar Zaman To Represent Pakistan In 2025 Champions Trophy

According to Australian selection chief George Bailey, “it provides a number of options for touring leadership based on opposition and specific circumstances that may present in Pakistan.”

“This is a well-rounded and seasoned team, with the core having played in the West Indies series, before that one-day World Cup, the successful UK tour last year, and especially the recent Pakistan home series,” Bailey added.

On the 22nd of February, Australia will begin their campaign in Lahore against longtime rivals England. Pakistan, the host and current champions, will play New Zealand in the opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at Karachi on the 19th of February.

The Australian team announced names such as (Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa, Nathan Ellis, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Pat Cummins (cap), Alex Carey (wk), and Marnus Labuschagne).