Cricket Australia has announced its preliminary 15-man squad for the ICC Champions Trophy, set to begin on February 19. The squad includes fresh faces in Matt Short and Aaron Hardie, both earning their maiden call-ups for a global ICC event. The selection emphasises all-round capabilities, as the team aims to balance depth and versatility for the tournament hosted across Pakistan and the UAE.
Nathan Ellis, whose stellar performances led the Hobart Hurricanes to the BBL 14 finals, also finds a spot in the squad. The trio of Short, Hardie, and Ellis replace David Warner, Cameron Green, and Sean Abbott from the team that triumphed in the ODI World Cup 14 months ago. Warner’s retirement, Green’s back surgery, and Abbott’s omission have paved the way for these new entrants.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
Captain Pat Cummins will lead the side but remains uncertain for the tournament due to an ankle injury sustained during Australia’s 3-1 Border-Gavaskar Trophy victory. Cummins is also skipping the Test series in Sri Lanka to be home for the birth of his second child. In his absence, vice-captain Steve Smith is likely to take charge.

Australia’s group-stage matches will be held in Pakistan, facing Afghanistan, England, and South Africa in Lahore and Rawalpindi. The squad’s sole warm-up fixture is an ODI against Sri Lanka in Hambantota on February 16, three days after the second Test in Galle.
Selector George Bailey highlighted the team’s strategic depth, noting the squad comprises key players from recent successful tours, including the World Cup, West Indies series, and the Pakistan home series. “This is a balanced and experienced squad offering flexibility based on opposition and conditions,” Bailey said.
Seam bowling has historically been more effective in Pakistan’s ODIs, and the team structure reflects this. Adam Zampa is the lone specialist spinner, backed by three pacers and a cadre of all-rounders, including Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Short and Hardie.

Short has impressed since Warner’s retirement, scoring consistently in ODIs and making a notable return in the BBL with a match-winning century for the Adelaide Strikers. Meanwhile, Hardie, who delivered key contributions during the UK tour, has been managing a quad injury but remains a vital inclusion for his dual skills.
Selectors opted to omit Jake Fraser-McGurk after a string of low scores in the BBL and recent ODIs. Fraser-McGurk’s form has been under scrutiny, with only a single half-century in domestic cricket this season.
Australia’s campaign will seek to claim the Champions Trophy for the first time since 2009. The format, last played in 2017, features the top two teams from each group progressing to the semi-finals. The final is scheduled for March 9 in either Lahore or Dubai.

Australia squad for ICC Champions Trophy