Australia has revealed its 15-man preliminary squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, set to commence next month. Notably, Pat Cummins, currently on paternity leave, will return to captain the team. Despite his injury concerns, which include an ankle issue sustained during the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Cummins is expected to lead the squad. Additionally, Josh Hazlewood has been included in the lineup despite being rested for the forthcoming series against Sri Lanka.
According to reports, Cummins will undergo scans to assess his ankle condition. George Bailey, Australia's chief selector, described the squad as "balanced and experienced," highlighting that many players have participated in significant recent tournaments, including the previous one-day World Cup and tours of the UK and Pakistan.
The squad features new additions Matt Short and Aaron Hardie, both receiving their first call-ups for a global event. Nathan Ellis has also been selected following impressive performances in domestic cricket. The team aims to provide flexibility and depth for various match conditions as they prepare for their group-stage matches against England, South Africa, and Afghanistan in Pakistan.