Jake Fraser-McGurk Joins Australia's Champions Trophy Squad
The team's preparations will be put to the test in the warm-up matches against Sri Lanka, where they will look to find the right balance and build momentum ahead of the tournament, with Fraser-McGurk and other new players looking to make an impact.
Australia's cricket team is gearing up for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, but their squad is weakened due to injuries and retirements, with four original players absent, including Mitchell Marsh, Josh Hazlewood, and Ashton Agar, who have been replaced by six new players, including Jake Fraser-McGurk.
The squad features a new-look pace bowling line-up with Spencer Johnson, Nathan Ellis, Sean Abbott, and Ben Dwarshuis, as the team's 'big three' fast bowlers, Starc, Cummins, and Hazlewood, are all absent. The team will play two ODIs in Sri Lanka, which will serve as warm-ups before heading to Pakistan, where the tournament will be held, along with the UAE.
Steve Smith will captain Australia in the tournament, with the batting lineup expected to feature Travis Head and Matt Short as the opening pair, and Fraser-McGurk potentially making a late entry. Alex Carey's place in the middle order is also uncertain, as the team looks to find the right balance ahead of the tournament.
Sri Lanka, who missed out on the Champions Trophy due to their poor ODI World Cup performance, will look to use these matches to prepare for the 2027 World Cup. They have a strong record in ODIs, with 13 wins in their last 21 matches, including five series victories, and will be a tough opponent for Australia in the warm-up matches.
The tournament is set to begin on February 22, with Australia's first match against England, and the team will be looking to make a strong start despite the challenges they face due to injuries and retirements.
