Apr 20th, 2017

Apr 20th, 2017

Australian selectors have announced the 15-man squad they will take to England for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy.

Captained by Steve smith, the squad comprises in-form players who have performed in the short form for Australia recently, as well as some inclusions who have recently returned from injury.

The squad will travel to the tournament to play in the 50-over round-robin format which kicks off on 1 June with the final on the 18th. Australia will depart on 18th May.

Australia squad for ICC Champions Trophy

Steve Smith (C)

David Warner (vc)

Pat Cummins

Aaron Finch

John Hastings

Josh Hazlewood

Travis Head

Moises Henriques

Chris Lynn

Glenn Maxwell

James Pattinson

Mitchell Starc

Marcus Stoinis

Matthew Wade

Adam Zampa

The two big inclusions for Australia were John Hastings and James Pattinson, both of whom were out for much of the Australian domestic summer with injury.

National selector Trevor Hohns praised their form, and said they earned their recall alongside Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc.

“Both James and John have made very good returns from injury and are bowling well for their respective teams in the English County competition as well as both contributing well with the bat.

“When you also add Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins to the fast bowling artillery it becomes a very exciting proposition for Australian cricket.”

Hohns was also upbeat about the balance of the squad.

“We have selected a very exciting well balanced squad that will give us plenty of options with both batting and bowling, depending on the conditions.

“We are in a very fortunate position at the moment with a large number of quality players available for selection, as such this was a very difficult team to choose and there have been some unlucky players on this occasion.”

He said that while Chris Lynn and Starc had both been named despite being sidelined with injury, they were no certainty to start.

“Our medical staff will continue to monitor Mitchell and Chris’ recovery from their respective injuries but we are hopeful they will be fit in time for the team’s departure on May 18.”

Mitchell and Shaun Marsh, James Faulkner, Usman Khawaja, George Bailey and Peter Handscomb are notable absentees from Australia's rotation, with in-form recent additions preferred.

Marcus Stoinis, who starred for Australia in their recent tour of New Zealand, is one of those, as is leg spinner Adam Zampa.

Dynamic opener Aaron Finch retains his spot in the squad, despite up-and-down form over the past two seasons.

Pattinson's return in particular will turn heads. After an extended period on the sidelines he made a comeback to Shield cricket in March this year, and has been in impressive form in England.

Along with Australia's other pace battery members, he forms a truly terrifying attack for other sides to contend with.