Here is your ready reckoner for Australia's prospects at the 50-over showpiece - team combination, chances to retain trophy and threats to their title defence
If there's one team that has started as a title contender in every single ICC white-ball event over the past 20-25 years, it is Australia. Sure enough, the two-time Champions Trophy winners are eyeing a third triumph at the 2025 edition of the 50-over showpiece. (Full Coverage | More Cricket News)
They are without regular skipper Pat Cummins, but no team would dare to undermine the threat posed by Australia, who have six 50-over World Cups, one T20 World Cup and two Champions Trophies in their kitty. Steve Smith is leading the Aussies in Cummins' absence, and nothing short of the title would satisfy his men.
Their batting line-up is dangerous, boasting the likes of Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Jake-Fraser McGurk, Marnus Labuschagne and Glenn Maxwell. Injuries to Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc means leggie Adam Zampa is the only experienced bowler in their arsenal.
Further, the batters will perhaps have to do the heavy lifting in the tournament to give that extra cushion of runs to the bowlers. But the not-so-great form of Labuschagne and McGurk will be a concern for the side. To add to that, they are coming into the Champions Trophy after a 0-2 blanking by Sri Lanka in the recent ODI series.
February 22: Australia vs England, Lahore
February 25: Australia vs South Africa, Rawalpindi
February 28: Australia vs Afghanistan, Lahore
Australia: Steve Smith (c), Sean Abbott, Alex Carey (wk), 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. Travelling reserve: Cooper Connolly
All Australia matches at ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be telecast live on the Star Sports network in India and streamed live on the JioHostar app and website in India.