Cricket Australia had announced the 15-man squad on 20th April for ICC Champions Trophy to be held in June. Steve Smith will be captain and David Warner will be vice-captain for the tournament.
Australian Squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Pat Cummins, Aaron Finch, John Hastings, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Chris Lynn, Glenn Maxwell, James Pattinson, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, Adam Zampa
Australian 15 men squad include Mitchell Starc who is suffering from foot injury and Chris Lynn who got his shoulder injured during the ongoing IPL 2017. While Australian team selector Trevor Hohns expected that both will be fit on time and will be able to play its opening match on 2nd June.
“Our medical staff will continue to monitor Mitchell and Chris’ recovery from their respective injuries, but we are hopeful they will be fit in time for the team’s departure on May 18,” said Australian team selector Trevor Hohns.
Marcus Stoinis, John Hastings and Moises Henriques had been picked up as an all-rounder in the team. While all-rounder James Faulkner has been dropped from the sqaud. And the bowling attack will have 4 paceman; Mitchell Starc, James Pattinson, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins. And Adam Zampa is the only specialist spinner in team.
“Both James and John have made very good returns from injury and are bowling well for their respective teams in the English County competition as well as both contributing well with the bat,” Hohns said.
“James (Faulkner) has been a consistent performer for the one-day squad for several years, however with players such as Pattinson, Cummins and Hastings coming back to full fitness and the emergence of Marcus Stoinis, James was squeezed out of the squad and is an unlucky omission.”
“When you also add Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins to the fast bowling artillery it becomes a very exciting proposition for Australian cricket.”
Batting department includes Steve Smith, Aaron Finch, David Warner, Chris Lynn, Glenn Maxwell, Travis Head and Mathew Wade as a wicket keeper. Aaron Finch and David Warner are likely to be opening pair for the team. Surprisingly Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb and Shaun Marsh and George Bailey are left out of the team.
Squad members who are not playing either Indian Premier League (IPL) 2017 or English County Cricket had to leave for the England on May 18. Those who are playing in IPL are allowed to stay till their finishes the tournament; IPL 2017 final is on 21st May. ICC Champions Trophy 2017 is to be held between June 1 and June 18 in England.
