Australia has announced their squad that they will take to Pakistan for the group stage of the Champion’s Trophy, which will see several big hitters from the Big Bash League return to national duty
Chair of Selectors George Bailey has claimed a need for ‘balance and experience’ was the key driving factor behind selection, keeping the same core of players from the last ODI World Cup.
The big omission is Aussie young gun Jake Fraser-McGurk, whose mixed form in the recent series against Pakistan has continued in the BBL for the Renegades. Spencer Johnson and Sean Abbott have also missed the cut – despite the former impressing in the second T20 International with his first-ever five-wicket haul.
The squad instead will include a second wicketkeeper in Alex Carey returning to the side, with Josh Inglis retaining his position. The other surprise inclusion is Mitchell Marsh, dropping from the Test side due to poor form and injury concerns, the all-rounder has continued to struggle, picking up in a golden duck returning to the BBL.
His inclusion, however, is likely due to injury concerns around Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.
Both bowling stars have been named in the squad, despite Cummins (ankle) and Hazlewood (calf) nursing injuries from the India Test series. Both players have already been omitted from the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka.
“This is a balanced and experienced squad with the core having been involved in the previous one-day World Cup, the West Indies series, last year’s successful tour of the UK and the more recent Pakistan home series,” said Bailey in a press statement. “It offers a variety of options for touring management depending on opposition and the conditions that may present in Pakistan.”
Josh Hazlewood (C) is congratulated after capturing the wicket of Joe Root of England during the ICC Champions Trophy match between England and Australia at Edgbaston on June 10, 2017 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
The squad will assemble following the conclusion of the Sri Lanka Test series, and is set to play an ODI against the hosts as preparation, before departing for Pakistan to commence preparations for the group stage of the Champion’s Trophy.
SQUAD:
Pat Cummins (NSW/Penrith Cricket Club) (c)
Alex Carey (SA/Glenelg Cricket Club)
Nathan Ellis (TAS/Lindisfarne Cricket Club)
Aaron Hardie (WA/Willetton Cricket Club)
Josh Hazlewood (NSW/St George Cricket Club)
Travis Head (SA/Tea Tree Gully Cricket Club)
Josh Inglis (WA/Joondalup Cricket Club)
Marnus Labuschagne (QLD/Redlands Cricket Club)
Mitchell Marsh (WA/Fremantle Cricket Club)
Glenn Maxwell (VIC/Fitzroy Doncaster Cricket Club)
Matthew Short (VIC/Northcote Cricket Club)
Steve Smith (NSW/Sutherland Cricket Club)
Mitchell Starc (NSW/Manly Warringah Cricket Club)
Marcus Stoinis (WA/Subiaco Floreat Cricket Club)
Adam Zampa (NSW/Sutherland Cricket Club)
MORE TO COME.
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