Australia have revealed their preliminary 15-member squad for the Champions Trophy, which is set to be played next month from 19. Pat Cummins will be leading the squad, which is bulging with seasoned campaigners. Matt Short and Aaron Hardie have received their maiden call ups for an ICC tournament.
Nathan Ellis has also bagged a spot in the squad on the back of his stellar showing at the Big Bash League. Mitchell Marsh and Josh Hazlewood have also returned to the fold after recently failing to make the cut for Sri Lanka Tests.
There is no place for young gun Jake Fraser-McGurk, who has struggled to get runs in the recent times. There are only three changes to the squad that won the ODI World Cup title in India in 2023.
"It offers a variety of options for touring management depending on opposition and the conditions that may present in Pakistan," selection chair George Bailey said.
"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," Bailey said.
Australia preliminary squad: Pat Cummins (c), Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa