How Did Smith, Head, Maxwell Perform? - Australia's Champions Trophy 2025 Report Card

Probuddha Bhattacharjee

Australia against India in Champions Trophy [Source: AP Photos]Australia against India in Champions Trophy [Source: AP Photos]

Australia are one of the best teams in the world. They have always delivered when it comes to the multinational tournaments under ICC. 

The team under the leadership of Steve Smith won their league stage game against England and then had to matches abandoned due to rain. However, the situation was set up so they could reach the top four. They were outclassed by India in the semifinal and had to bow out of the tournament. 

Here is an overall look at the performances of all the Australian players in the tournament - 

Steve Smith - 7/10

Matches: 3 Runs: 97 Average: 48.50

The Australian captain failed to leave the impact that was expected of him. Steve Smith played a stabilising knock in the semifinal against India, but it was not enough to take them to a total that would trouble the opposition.

Matt Short - 5/10

Matches: 3 Runs: 83 Average: 41.50 Wickets: 0

The dashing opener for Australia set up the chase for the team in the game against England. Matt Short's blazing start gave them the early momentum to stay in the game. However, he failed to deliver with the ball and was also ruled out from the Champions Trophy semifinal.

Travis Head - 4/10

Travis Head [Source: AP Photos]Travis Head [Source: AP Photos]

Matches: 3 Runs: 104 Average: 52.00

A lot was expected out of Travis Head, as he has already delivered for the Aussies on the big stage. However, the star batter failed to deliver as per the expectations and did not leave the impact that he could have, especially in the semifinal.

Josh Inglis - 7.5/10

Matches: 3 Runs: 131 Average: 131.00

Australia chased down a huge target in their first game of the Champions Trophy 2025 against England. Josh Inglis was the main character for his team in the chase. However, he failed to deliver when the team needed him to propel towards a respectable total.

Marnus Labuschagne - 5/10

Matches: 3 Runs: 76 Average: 38.00

Before the start of the tournament, Marnus Labuschagne was expected to be one of the key players for Australia in the Champions Trophy 2025. But in the two games that he batted in, the Aussie middle-order batter failed to convert his start.

Alex Carey - 8.5/10

Matches: 3 Runs: 130 Average: 65.00

The Australian wicketkeeper was one of the best performers in the batting unit of the team. Alex Carey played crucial knocks under pressure in the England and India games. Given the composure he has shown in the tournament, he was easily way ahead of all the other batters. 

Glenn Maxwell - 4/10

Glenn Maxwell [Source: AP Photos]Glenn Maxwell [Source: AP Photos]

Matches: 3 Runs: 39 Average: 39.00 Wickets: 2

Glenn Maxwell did play an effective cameo in the stellar chase against England. But in the semifinal, he gave his wicket away after a big hit and ceded the momentum to India at a crucial stage. Also, he failed to step up as a bowler in the tournament.

Ben Dwarshuis - 7/10

Matches: 3 Wickets: 7 Average: 21.71

The left-arm pacer was the highest wicket-taker for Australia in the tournament. In the absence of the big names of the bowling unit, Ben Dwarshuis did a great job of being the utility bowler in all the stages of a match.

Adam Zampa - 5/10

Matches: 3 Wickets: 6 Average: 28.66

With the team playing in the subcontinent conditions, it was expected that Adam Zampa will play a major role in their campaign. Even though the wrist spinner did a decent job with the ball, the impactful performance never came from him.

Nathan Ellis - 3/10

Matches: 3 Wickets: 3 Average: 53.33

One of the death phase specialists, Nathan Ellis, could have been one of their key performers in the tournament. However, the pacer failed to pick up wickets in the crucial stages and change the complexion of the matches in the final overs.

Spencer Johnson - 2/10

Matches: 2 Wickets: 2 Average: 51.50

In the absence of bowlers like Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, Spencer Johnson was expected to lead the team's bowling contingent team. However, Johnson failed to light off the stage with the ball, and it played a big role in Australia lagging behind the competition.

Cooper Connolly - 1.5

Matches: 1 Runs: 0 Wickets: 1 Batting Average: 0 Bowling Average: 37

Cooper Connolly was included by Australia in the playing XI for the semifinal, hoping that he would add an extra bit of depth and layer to the composition. However, the young all-rounder failed to impress with either of his trades. 

Tanveer Sangha - 1/10

Matches: 1 Wickets: 0 Average: -

The young wrist spinner was included to trouble the Indian batters on a slowish track at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. However, Tanveer Sangha was played out by the Indians very cleverly, and he failed to leave the impact that was expected of him.