Australia Eyes Champions Trophy Glory in Pakistan
The tournament's history is marked by notable winners, including South Africa, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, India, West Indies, and Pakistan, with Australia being the only team to have won the tournament twice, and the 2025 edition is expected to be a thrilling contest with top teams competing for the championship title.
Cameron Johnson is being touted as a potential successor to Mitchell Starc, and his performance will be crucial as Australia prepares to face a shorthanded lineup in Pakistan without injured frontline quicks Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Johnson made an early impact in his third ODI, taking 2 wickets with the new ball against Sri Lanka, including his maiden ODI wicket. He bowled consistently around 140kph and used his height to good effect, causing awkward bounce and probing at a back of a length. Australia's 15-player squad for the tournament has been finalized, with key player Mitchell Starc ruled out due to personal reasons, and Steve Smith has been named captain in Cummins' absence.
The team will continue to prepare for the tournament with two ODIs against Sri Lanka and will face England in their tournament opener on February 22. Australia is drawn in Group B alongside England, Afghanistan, and South Africa. The ICC Champions Trophy is a one-day international knockout tournament introduced by ICC in 1998, and Australia is the only team to have won the tournament twice, in 2006 and 2009.
With a mix of experienced and new players, Australia will look to build on their past successes and make a strong impression in the tournament, which will be played in Pakistan in 2025 and India in 2029. The team's performance will be closely watched, and Johnson's role will be crucial in their quest for glory in the Champions Trophy.
