Tag: australia

Former all-rounder Shane Watson has named Glenn Maxwell as the stand-out player for Australia in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Watson has backed the explosive batter to shine in the marquee event following his brilliant form in the Big Bash League this season.

“The stand-out player for me is Glenn Maxwell,” Watson wrote in his recent ICC column.

“With what I have seen recently, especially in the Big Bash, I believe he has some of his best cricket in front of him across the next two or three years, and I would be very surprised if he does not dominate this Champions Trophy,” said the event Ambassador.

He also mentioned his incredible innings against Afghanistan in the ICC World Cup 2023, where he smashed a breathtaking double-century.

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“He had that incredible innings against Afghanistan in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, where he scored a double century, but he has struggled to be consistent at times. That’s the nature of his role in the team.

“However, it now just feels like it has all fallen into place for him, and that’s with everything in his life, not just his cricket, so I think he will play a pivotal part,” Watson added.

With key Australian players not part of the team for the Champions Trophy, Watson still believes that the Aussies will be a team to beat.

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“I think Australia will be very hard to beat, even if their bowling squad is not quite as experienced as they might otherwise have been,” remarked Watson.

Glenn Maxwell was also pivotal to Australia’s Cricket World Cup triumph in 2023, finishing with 400 runs from nine games.

For the unaware, Australia will be without their pace trio of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc. They will play their first match of the eight-nation tournament against England tomorrow at Lahore’s newly renovated Gaddafi Stadium.

READ: Former Australian great predicts winner of Pakistan-India Champions Trophy clash

LAHORE: The Australia cricket team has arrived in Pakistan in two groups to participate in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to commence on 19 February.

The first group, featuring head coach, captain Steve Smith and support staff, reached Lahore from Colombo via Dubai.

Soon after, the second group, consisting of 15 players, including the likes of Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Travis Head, Matthew Short, and Adam Zampa, along with two additional staff members, also landed in Lahore.

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It’s worth noting that the ninth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy will kick off on 19 February with host and defending champions Pakistan taking on New Zealand in the curtain-raiser in Karachi’s National Bank Stadium.

Meanwhile, Australia will begin their campaign against arch-rivals England on February 22 at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.

Their second match is scheduled for February 25 against South Africa at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, while the Aussies will play their final group stage match against Afghanistan on February 28 in Lahore.

Australia squad for Champions Trophy 2025

Steve Smith (c), Sean Abbott, Alex Carey, 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.

READ: Shahid Afridi predicts leading wicket-taker for India-Pakistan Champions Trophy clash

Australia suffered a major blow to their preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 as their star all-rounder Marcus Stoinis left fans shocked with his immediate retirement from the ODI format just before the mega-event.

Stoinis announced his decision on Thursday morning, leaving Australia without another all-rounder following the injury of Mitchell Marsh which ruled him out of the upcoming tournament.

“Playing ODI cricket for Australia has been an incredible journey, and I’m grateful for every moment I’ve had in the green and gold,” Stoinis said in a statement.

“Representing my country at the highest level is something I’ll always cherish.

“This wasn’t an easy decision, but I believe it’s the right time for me to step away from ODIs and fully focus on the next chapter of my career.

“I’ve got a fantastic relationship with Ron [Andrew McDonald] and I’ve hugely appreciated his support.”

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He concluded his statement by expressing support for the Australia cricket team, which is set to depart for Pakistan to participate in the Champions Trophy 2025.

“I’ll be cheering the boys on in Pakistan,” he said.

Marcus Stoinis was a member of the 2023 ODI World Cup-winning squad and played a crucial role with the ball against Pakistan, helping Australia recover from a poor start in the tournament ultimately leading them to victory.

However, he played only one more ODI after the World Cup, which was also against Pakistan earlier this season.

Last year, he did not receive a contract from Cricket Australia (CA), but he was expected to play a key role in the Champions Trophy due to the injury of Cameron Green and Marsh.

The retirement of Marcus Stoinis has presented another challenge for the Australian team management.

They will need to make several adjustments to their Champions Trophy squad, as Mitchell Marsh has been ruled out due to a back injury. Additionally, captain Pat Cummins is unlikely to participate, along with fellow fast bowler Josh Hazlewood.

READ: Aqib Javed defends Faheem, Khushdil’s selection in Champions Trophy squad

Australia is facing a major setback ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, with captain Pat Cummins likely to miss the tournament due to an ongoing ankle injury.

Cummins, who has been struggling with the issue since the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India, has yet to resume bowling, putting his participation in serious doubt.

Head coach Andrew McDonald confirmed that while Australia’s ODI squad is set to depart for Sri Lanka on Thursday, Cummins is “heavily unlikely” to be part of the touring party.

His absence means the team will need a new captain, with Steve Smith and Travis Head emerging as the frontrunners for the leadership role.

“Pat Cummins hasn’t been able to resume any type of bowling, so he’s heavily unlikely. That means we do need a captain,” McDonald said.

“Steve Smith and Travis Head are the two we’ve been having conversations with while building out the Champions Trophy team along with Pat back home. They’re the obvious choices for the leadership role.”

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It’s worth noting that Pat Cummins isn’t the only fitness concern for Australia ahead of the Champions Trophy as fast bowler Josh Hazlewood is also battling an injury, dealing with a hip issue that kept him out of part of the Test series against India.

Hazlewood’s availability for the Champions Trophy remains uncertain, with further medical updates expected in the coming days.

Meanwhile, all-rounder Mitchell Marsh has already been ruled out of the tournament due to a back injury.

He is unlikely to feature in the remainder of the domestic season, though there is still a possibility that he could return for the IPL, where he plays for the Lucknow Super Giants.

With Marsh sidelined, selectors are weighing up their options for his replacement. Uncapped ODI player Beau Webster is in contention while seam-bowling all-rounders Aaron Hardie and Marcus Stoinis are already in the squad but carrying their own injury concerns.

In Cummins and Hazlewood’s absence, Sean Abbott is expected to be recalled to the ODI squad of Australia after missing out on the initial Champions Trophy selection.

READ: New Zealand squad arrives in Lahore for tri-nation ODI series

Star Australia pacer Mitchell Starc has made a shocking revelation regarding his future in the Big Bash League (BBL).

The veteran bowler is a regular feature in the Australia red-ball and white-ball squads, however, he last played for Sydney Sixers way back in the BBL  2014-15 season.

While talking about his return to the Big Bash the Southpaw mentioned a busy Australian summer schedule.

“I don’t know, to be honest. As long as the Australian summer is the way it is, where we have two weeks (off), not even – we had 10 days this year,” he told an Australian media outlet.

“If that’s how it is, probably not. If I retire from something, perhaps. Who knows?” Starc revealed.

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It is worth noting here that Mitchell Starc featured in 10 games for Sydney Sixers before he took a break from the Big Bash League.

Reflecting on his memories while playing for the Sixers, the Australian pacer said that he enjoyed playing for the team.

“It’s hard to miss games to try and protect yourself. There’s always risk playing cricket, that’s never going to change. For me, I just want to keep enjoying playing as much cricket as I can. I really enjoy the BBL with Sydney,” he concluded.

For the unversed, Mitchell Starc’s last appearance in franchise cricket came in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 after missing several seasons.

Earlier, his compatriot Travis Head had shared that he would only play the IPL and the BBL alongside his national duty.

“I won’t play franchise cricket other than IPL. Big Bash will be the third team I play for, so I won’t play anything other than that at this stage,” said explosive batter in an interview last year.

“I think that gives me the opportunity to have that time off,” Head concluded.

READ: Gautam Gambhir opens up on hype around India-Pakistan clash at Champions Trophy

Incessant afternoon rain forced an early end to day three of the first Test between Australia and Sri Lanka on Friday, with the visitors leading by 518 and former home skipper Dinesh Chandimal waging a lone battle on 63.

Sri Lanka were 136-5 by lunch in Galle, with wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis also at the crease on 10, after losing two more wickets from their overnight 44-3.

The break was called early and players were kept off the pitch through the afternoon, with officials calling an end 90 minutes before the scheduled finish.

Kamindu Mendis departed for 15 after an edge to the keeper off Mitchell Starc, further denting the Bradman-like average he maintained at the start of his Test comeback last year.

Captain Dhananjaya de Silva looked comfortable before rushing down the track to Matthew Kuhnemann and missing the ball completely, gifting Alex Carey a regulation stumping and leaving for 22.

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Left-arm speedster Starc expertly created rough patches outside the off stump, while Nathan Lyon relentlessly probed away from the other end.

Dinesh Chandimal, who was promoted to the crucial number three position last year and has since averaged over 50, stood firm despite the uphill battle to avoid the follow-on.

Australia declared on 654-6 late on the second day after opener Usman Khawaja’s career-best 232.

The opening day saw stand-in skipper Steve Smith join the elite club of 10,000 career Test run-makers, the fifteenth player and fourth Australian to reach the milestone.

Picturesque Galle will also host the second and final match of the series next week before a two-match ODI series in Colombo.

READ: Asad Shafiq clears air on Pakistan’s opening pair for Champions Trophy 2025

Australia had Sri Lanka three down after opener Usman Khawaja first double century and a ton on debut by Josh Inglis helped the tourists to 654-6 declared in the first match on Thursday.

Sri Lanka were 44-3 by stumps on day two at Galle with senior batter Dinesh Chandimal, on nine, and Kamindu Mendis, on 13, on guard until rain stopped play.

Left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann struck first to have Oshada Fernando lbw and soon pace spearhead Mitchell Starc got Dimuth Karunaratne caught at gully. Both batsmen made seven.

Veteran spinner Nathan Lyon then sent back former skipper Angelo Mathews out for eight with Travis Head taking a diving catch at short leg.

Khawaja’s 266-run third-wicket partnership with Steve Smith, who hit 141 in a landmark innings that got the stand-in skipper to 10,000 Test runs, stood out after Australia elected to bat first at the start of the two-match series.

It was the first time the tourists had breached the 600-run mark in Sri Lanka, surpassing their previous Asian high of 617, posted in Pakistan in 1980.

Wicketkeeper Alex Carey was unbeaten on 46 with Starc on 19 when Smith declared the first innings in the final session.

Inglis made it count when he walked in after Smith departed on 141 in a landmark innings that got the stand-in skipper to 10,000 Test runs.

He made 102 and with Khawaja kept up the batting surge in a 146-run stand to tire out the opposition attack.

“Hasn’t sunk in yet,” Inglis told reporters. “Nice to get the team into a very strong position.

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“Obviously having played in the sub-continent helps. The training camp in Dubai was really key. We were able to work out our individual plans. If you see all our guys had clear plans.”

Spinner Prabath Jayasuriya broke the partnership to get Khawaja caught behind as the opener walked back after 352 balls that included 16 fours and one six.

Inglis reached his ton off 90 balls as he jumped in delight and punched the air.

But he got out in the next over as he gave away a catch to short cover off Jayasuriya.

Jayasuriya and fellow spinner Jeffrey Vandersay took three wickets each as Sri Lanka toiled for 154 overs.

“The surface didn’t change much. They were bowling better lines and a bit quicker and that was the difference,” said Vandersay.

“Australia has a mammoth total on the board. We just need to bat long as possible and keep focusing on building partnerships and take one session at a time.”

The tourists resumed on 330-2 as overnight batsmen Khawaja and Smith frustrated the opposition attack on a sunny morning.

Khawaja took a single off Jayasuriya to reach 200 as he removed his helmet, raised his bat and dropped down to kiss the turf while teammates and fans stood up to applaud.

His previous best was an unbeaten 195 against South Africa in 2023 at Sydney and he is now the first batter from Australia to make a double ton in Sri Lanka.

He silenced his critics who questioned his future after his recent lean patch with just one fifty in the last 15 innings coming into this week’s Test.

READ: Ricky Ponting leaves Virat Kohli out of ‘best of the generation’ debate

Steve Smith stood unbeaten on 104 after crossing 10,000 Test runs and helped Australia pummel Sri Lanka alongside fellow centurion Usman Khawaja on day one of the opening Test on Wednesday.

Australia reached 330-2 in 81.1 overs when rain stopped play for the day after the tourists elected to bat first in Galle at the start of the two-match series.

Left-handed opener Khawaja, on 147, and skipper Smith put on an unbeaten stand of 195 to thwart the opposition attack in two wicketless afternoon sessions.

Milestone man Smith got three runs off Nishan Peiris to reach his third ton in four matches as he took off his baggy green and raised his bat to acknowledge the crowd’s cheers.

Steve Smith took the crease in the first session with 9,999 runs and calmly nudged his very first delivery to mid-on for a single off Prabath Jayasuriya.

He became the 15th batsman to 10,000 Test runs and only the fourth Australian to achieve the feat after Allan Border, Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting.

Australia captain survived an early reprieve in his knock when Jayasuriya grassed a sharp return catch in the same over, a chance Sri Lanka would come to rue. He made the hosts pay dearly, crafting a sublime 35th Test century.

Usman Khawaja reached his 16th Test hundred -– his maiden ton on Sri Lankan soil -– after a 17-match drought since his Ashes century in June 2023.

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The ton came with a flick off fast bowler Asitha Fernando to the fine leg boundary, a stroke brimming with elegance and relief.

The 38-year-old had a few heart-in-mouth moments when a couple of edges fell just short of fielders and a reprieve on 74 when he nicked Jayasuriya to the keeper, but Sri Lanka chose not to review the on-field decision.

Another opportunity slipped through Sri Lanka’s fingers with Smith on 90 as Kusal Mendis, slow to react behind the stumps, spilled a bat-pad chance.

Earlier, Travis Head smashed 57 off 40 balls including 10 fours and one six to put Sri Lanka on the back foot right away.

Head, who replaced 19-year-old Sam Konstas as an opener for the Test, put on 92 runs with fellow left-hander Khawaja.

The hosts finally found a breakthrough when Head misfired an ambitious charge against Jayasuriya only to find the long-on fielder.

Jeffrey Vandersay had Marnus Labuschagne caught at first slip for 20 with his left-arm spin.

With three specialist spinners in the Australian XI, the tourists hold all the aces, especially with the pitch expected to deteriorate as the game progresses.

READ: Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Amir look back at Champions Trophy 2017 victory

Afghanistan announced their squad for next month’s ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, with prolific opener Ibrahim Zadran returning after an injury lay-off but spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman missing out.

The country’s performance in white-ball cricket has been strong recently — finishing sixth in the ICC ODI World Cup in 2023 and reaching the semi-final in last year’s T20 World Cup.

This will be the first time Afghanistan participate in the eight-nation Champions Trophy, staged between February 19 and March 9 in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.

“Zadran, who was away from action due to an ankle injury, has returned to the squad,” said a statement from the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB).

“However, Mujeeb Ur Rahman misses out on the selection, as AM Ghazanfar, a similar mystery spinner, has made the cut for the mega event.”

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Rahman was left out because “he has been advised by his doctor to focus on T20s for a while to ensure his full recovery”, added acting ACB chief selector Ahmad Suliman Khil.

But the ACB said that the fast-rising opener Sediqullah Atal did secure a place in the squad.

Afghanistan beat England and Pakistan in the ODI World Cup and Australia and New Zealand in the T20 World Cup.

The ninth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy will kick off on 19 February with host and defending champions Pakistan taking on New Zealand in the curtain-raiser in Karachi’s National Bank Stadium.

Afghanistan will kick off their Champions Trophy campaign with a clash against South Africa in Karachi on February 21, before they face England and Australia in Lahore.

Afghanistan squad for Champions Trophy 2025

Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmat Shah (vc), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ikram Alikhil (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, AM Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Naveed Zadran and Farid Ahmad Malik.

READ: Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood return to Australia squad for Champions Trophy

Skipper Pat Cummins and injured paceman Josh Hazlewood were named in the squad of Australia for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, in Pakistan next month.

Cummins opted out of the Sri Lanka series, which is set to commence later this month, due to the birth of his second child. He is also reportedly carrying a knee injury.

Meanwhile, Hazlewood was included in the two-time tournament winners’ preliminary 15-man line-up after calf and side strains restricted him to just two Tests during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India over the summer.

While they return, opener Jake Fraser-McGurk was dumped, paying the price for his poor recent form after opening for Australia during their most recent one-day series against Pakistan.

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“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,” said chief selector George Bailey.

“It offers a variety of options for touring management depending on the opposition and the conditions that may present in Pakistan.”

The ninth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy will kick off on 19 February with host and defending champions Pakistan taking on New Zealand in the curtain-raiser in Karachi’s National Bank Stadium.

Australia squad for Champions Trophy 2025

Pat Cummins (capt), 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

READ: Women’s Ashes 2025: Ashleigh Gardner helps Australia defeat England in first ODI