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Australia pick CSK star in Champions Trophy squad as Fraser-McGurk axed
Follow UsFraser-McGurk, 22, was unable to make the most of the opportunities presented to him
Australia have announced their preliminary 15-player squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and have left out Jake Fraser-McGurk, who burst into the scene last year after a sensational 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season and was expected to take the reins over from the now-retired David Warner.
Fraser-McGurk, 22, got chances to make his Champions Trophy case in both ODIs and T20Is, but the right-hander was unable to make the most of the opportunities he was awarded, averaging 17.40 in ODIs while scoring just 113 runs at 16.14 in T20Is.
Instead, the Kangaroos have opted to pick Matt Short as the backup opener. Short, who recently was in the headlines for smashing the fastest-ever BBL ton by an Adelaide Strikers player, also has a middling ODI record - 195 runs at 21.66 - but has got the nod on the back of both his experience and much better form in the ongoing BBL season.
Nathan Ellis, who was picked up by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL 2025 mega auction, has also made the initial cut as the backup seamer ahead of Sean Abbott. Ellis, who has played 8 ODIs in his career, is currently leading the Hobart Hurricanes (HH) in the 2024/24 BBL.
The big three quicks, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, have all made the cut despite there being injury clouds over all three fast bowlers. While Cummins is dealing with an ankle issue, Hazlewood is recovering from a calf injury. Starc, meanwhile, bowled through pain in the Sydney Test against India after a suspected side issue. Cummins and Hazlewood, in all likelihood, will not play any competitive cricket before the Champions Trophy.
Youngster Aaron Hardie has also made the cut in the absence of the injured Cameron Green. Marcus Stoinis, who was not offered a central contract, has also made it to the 15, as have wicketkeepers Alex Carey and Josh Inglis.
Notably, Adam Zampa is the only specialist spinner in Australia’s squad. Glenn Maxwell and Travis Head will likely double up as the second spinner as they did at the 2023 ODI World Cup.
Australia squad for Champions Trophy
Pat Cummins (c), 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