Team India suffered a major setback when Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out of the Champions Trophy. Bumrah is the backbone of the team’s fast-bowling lineup, but now India will have to play without him. This situation is similar to that of Australia, as their captain Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood were already out of the team. Now, Australia has suffered another major blow with their dangerous fast bowler Mitchell Starc also being ruled out of the Champions Trophy.
Big Blow for Australia
With Mitchell Starc out, Australia’s strength has been reduced significantly. The team was already missing key players like Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, and now Starc’s absence is another major setback. In Cummins’ absence, Steve Smith has been appointed captain. The team has included Nathan Ellis, Spencer Johnson, and Ben Dwarshuis as fast bowlers.
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Australia’s finalised squad is finally in for the upcoming #ChampionsTrophy – with Mitch Starc the latest big name to miss
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) February 12, 2025
Australia Without Many Key Players
Australia is always considered a strong contender in ICC tournaments, but their current situation is concerning. Apart from Starc, all-rounders Mitchell Marsh and Marcus Stoinis are also missing from the squad. Starc has withdrawn from the Champions Trophy due to personal reasons. Now, the responsibility of leading a young team to victory in the tournament falls on Steve Smith, who is also captaining the team on the Sri Lanka tour. Smith has prior captaincy experience, which will be crucial for the team.
Five New Players Included in the Australian Squad
With Starc, Cummins, and Hazlewood unavailable, Australia has called up Spencer Johnson, Nathan Ellis, Sean Abbott, and Ben Dwarshuis in their final 15-member squad. Cooper Connolly has been named as the travelling reserve.
Spencer Johnson has played just two ODIs and eight T20Is. He is seen as Starc’s replacement as a left-arm fast bowler.
Nathan Ellis was part of Australia’s squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup. He made his ODI debut three years ago in Pakistan.
Sean Abbott was also part of the Pakistan ODI tour and has played 26 ODIs, including a match in Australia’s 2023 World Cup-winning campaign in India.
Introducing our 15-player squad for the 2025 ICC #ChampionsTrophy
pic.twitter.com/Rtv20mhXAW
— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) February 12, 2025
Australia’s Champions Trophy 2025 Schedule
Australia’s first match in the Champions Trophy 2025 is against England on February 22, followed by South Africa on February 25 and Afghanistan on February 28.
Australia’s Final Squad for the Champions Trophy 2025
Steve Smith (captain), Sean Abbott, Alex Carey, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa.
Traveling Reserve: Cooper Connolly