New Delhi (Nilesh Tiwari): Due to his ongoing ankle ailment, Pat Cummins has been designated captain of Australia’s provisional 15-man selection for the Champions Trophy, which will start in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates on February 19.
Australia, Afghanistan, England, and South Africa have all been placed into Group B. All of their round-robin matches will take place in Pakistan, in Lahore and Rawalpindi.
Three days after the second Test in Galle, the same team will play Sri Lanka in a one-off ODI at Hambantota. Prior to their tournament start against England in Lahore on February 22, this will be Australia’s lone warm-up match.
“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,” chairman of selectors George Bailey said
“It offers a variety of options for touring management depending on opposition and the conditions that may present in Pakistan.”
Australia 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
Australia Group B fixtures
February 22: Australia v England, Lahore
February 25: Australia v South Africa, Rawalpindi
February 28: Afghanistan v Australia, Lahore
March 4: Semi-final 1, Dubai
March 5: Semi-final 2, Lahore
March 9: Final, Lahore or Dubai
