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Pat Cummins Back At The Helm As Australia Start Preparations For Champions Trophy

Pat Cummins [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/x.com]Pat Cummins [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/x.com]

The next assignment for the Australian men's team will be an ODI series against Pakistan at home. This three match series will serve as the first step towards the preparations for the upcoming Champions Trophy in 2025. 

The National Selection Panel has announced the men's squad for this series. They have also announced the squad of Australia A for the upcoming matches against India. 

Head and Marsh not part of the squad

Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh are not a part of the squad as they are on paternity leaves. While this might allow Australia to test their bench, these two players are sure to find their way into the eleven once they are back. 

Travis Head has had a huge impact as an opener for the Australian team. Besides, Mitchell Marsh's dynamic presence and leadership abilities have added an extra layer of flexibility to the team's mechanism. So, Marsh and Head are indisputable members of the team.

The blend of youth and experience

Australia have started to introduce players like Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie and Cooper Connolly to the highest level of cricket to groom them for the future. The presence of these young names in the squad gives the idea that Australia is looking to find the perfect balance between experience of Maxwell, Steve Smith, Stoinis, Starc, etc. and the youthful energy of the rising stars. 

The chief selector talks about the selection intentions

George Bailey, the chief selector of Australia was heard speaking about the intentions behind the selections of the players. Here is what he said - 

"This is our last ODI series before the Champions Trophy and the balance of the squad was focussed on that as well as continuing to focus on preparation of individuals for the upcoming Test Summer. "

"The one-day side had a great result in the UK particularly given illness and injury challenges. We view this is an opportunity to expand on that achievement in preparation for next February in Pakistan," - he further added. (as quoted from Crictracker)

Australia ODI Squad for Pakistan Series

Pat Cummins (c), Sean Abbott, Cooper Connolly, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short , Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa

Australia A Squad for India games

Nathan McSweeney (C), Cameron Bancroft, Scott Boland, Jordan Buckingham, Cooper Connolly, Ollie Davies, Marcus Harris, Sam Konstas, Nathan McAndrew, Michael Neser, Todd Murphy, Fergus O’Neill, Jimmy Peirson, Josh Philippe, Corey Rocchiccioli, Mark Steketee, Beau Webster