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The much-awaited ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 is just round the corner as all teams have reached their respective venues ahead of the marquee tournament. While Pakistan, New Zealand and South Africa will come into the tournament after playing a tri-nation series, England and India also locked horns while the 2023 ODI World Cup winners, Australia are coming after registering a 0-2 defeat against Sri Lanka.
It is to be seen that Steve Smith-led Australian side is going through a turmoil as they will miss several of their key players, including regular skipper Pat Cummins, pace bowling duo of Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, along with the likes Mitchell Marsh and Marcus Stoinis. Seeing this, the captaincy mantle has falled upon Smith, while Travis Head will serve as his deputy.
Steve Smith and Travis Head should open in CT 2025: Adam Gilchrist
As the countdown to Champions Trophy continues, former Australia wicketkeeper-batter Adam Gilchrist feels that the team should open with a new opening pair. He believes that Smith should open for the Aussies, alongside Travis Head. “It’s a challenging one at the moment, but Smith should open. I didn’t see where he was slotted in the game against Sri Lanka. Obviously, Travis is going to be there — he’s fresh and fit. I also like Matt Short being there — he can form a nice left-hand-right-hand combination — that would be the preferred way for me to go,” Gilchrist said on ABC Summer Grandstand show.
“But I do think Smith can open - we have seen him do that in 20-over cricket really well,” he added. It is to be noted that the veteran batter has opened in six matches and 10 innings across format, managing to score 242 runs at an average of 30.25. Although, Smith has not opened in ODIs and his most recent scores in this format came as 12 and 29 against Sri Lanka.
Australia’s squad for ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025
Steve Smith (capt), 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
