Cricket Australia (CA) has announced their 15-player preliminary squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, set in Pakistan and Dubai from February 19. The World Cup 2023 champions are in Group B with Afghanistan, England, and South Africa. Despite recent ICC successes, Australia has struggled in the Champions Trophy, with their last win in 2009. After group-stage exits in 2013 and 2017, this article examines the players from Australia’s 2017 squad returning for 2025, aiming to overcome past disappointments.
1. Steve Smith
Steve Smith captained Australia in the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy, scoring 86 runs across three matches at an impressive average of 86. His highest score in the tournament was 56 against England. Smith’s ability to handle spin will be crucial for Australia in the 2025 tournament as they aim to make a stronger impact.
2. Travis Head
Travis Head, one of the most destructive batsmen in world cricket today, showcased his potential during the 2017 Champions Trophy. Batting at No. 5, he played all three matches, but had the opportunity to bat only once. Head’s unbeaten 71-run knock against England was instrumental in setting a challenging total. With David Warner’s retirement, Head will now take on additional responsibility at the top of the order for Australia in 2025.
3. Pat Cummins
Pat Cummins, Australia’s current captain, had a difficult 2017 Champions Trophy campaign. As the third seamer alongside Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, he took only two wickets in three matches at an average of 72. Heading into the 2025 tournament, Cummins is recovering from an ankle issue, and Australia will be hoping for his full recovery. His recent performances, including leading Australia to the World Cup 2023 title and taking two hat-tricks at the T20 World Cup, highlight his crucial role in the team.
4. Mitchell Starc
Mitchell Starc, Australia’s premier left-arm pacer, has been a key figure in the team’s success in ICC events over the past decade. In the 2017 Champions Trophy, Starc was one of Australia’s standout performers, taking five wickets in three matches at an average of 26 and an economy rate of 4.83. His best performance in the tournament came against Bangladesh, where he took 4/29.
5. Josh Hazlewood
Josh Hazlewood, one of the most consistent fast bowlers in limited-overs cricket, was Australia’s top wicket-taker in the 2017 Champions Trophy. He claimed nine wickets in three matches at an average of 15.77 and an economy rate of 5.07. Hazlewood’s best figures, 6/52, came against New Zealand, cementing his reputation as a key contributor in Australia’s attack.
6. Glenn Maxwell
Glenn Maxwell, known for his match-winning ability in white-ball cricket, had a quiet 2017 Champions Trophy campaign, scoring just 31 runs across three innings at an average of 20. Despite this, his experience, especially in Asian conditions, will be invaluable for Australia in the upcoming tournament, where Maxwell will aim to make a bigger impact.
7. Marcus Stoinis
Despite some recent struggles in ODIs, Marcus Stoinis has retained his place in Australia’s Champions Trophy squad. Stoinis was part of Australia’s World Cup 2023 campaign but was dropped from the playing XI during the tournament. He didn’t feature in the 2017 Champions Trophy, where he was included as a backup for all-rounder Moises Henriques.
8. Adam Zampa
Adam Zampa will lead Australia’s spin attack in the 2025 Champions Trophy. The leg-spinner has been Australia’s highest wicket-taker in ODIs since 2020, and his role will be pivotal in the team’s success. Zampa played two games in the 2017 Champions Trophy, taking two wickets at an average of 32.50 and an economy rate of 5.27.