Cummins, who will captain the team, is on paternity leave for the birth of her second child, but it was also revealed last week that she would undergo tests on an ankle problem she suffered from during the Test series in India. Selection chairman George Bailey said he was awaiting the results of scans but was not imminent to rush a final decision as he was free to make changes to the squad over the next four weeks.
“I’d like to give him some space in the back end of Border-Gavaskar, obviously there’s a baby waiting,” Bailey said. “We will work through this with Pat, the selection panel and the medical team, but I know he is very committed.”
Meanwhile, Hazlewood is not yet fully recovered from the calf injury that ended the series but could take his place in the one-day fixture.
Hardie is currently not bowling for Perth Scorchers in the BBL due to injury, while Josh Inglis is also recovering from a calf injury suffered while fielding serve during the Test series.
“This is a balanced and experienced squad that has been a key part of previous one-day World Cups, the West Indies series, last year’s successful tour of England and the recent Pakistan home series,” Bailey said. “We offer a variety of options for managing tours depending on the adverse circumstances and conditions that may exist in Pakistan.”
Adam Zampa is the only spinner up front but will be supported by Short and Glenn Maxwell.
Among the young players who featured against Pakistan earlier in the series, which Australia lost 2-1, Jake Fraser-McGurk failed to make the cut amid an extended lean run that included a top score of 26 runs in eight innings for the Melbourne Renegades. Cooper Connolly, who was selected for the Sri Lanka Test tour, is also unable to find his place.
Australia are scheduled to play a one-off ODI against Sri Lanka on February 13 before heading to Pakistan, with talks ongoing over whether there will be another warm-up match. It is in the same group as the United Kingdom (February 22), South Africa (February 25) and Afghanistan (February 28).
With India not visiting Pakistan, the hybrid model will be finalized and the first semi-final will be held in Dubai on March 4 and the second semi-final will be held in Lahore on March 5. The final will be held in either Dubai or Lahore on March 9, depending on India’s eligibility.
Australian Team for the Champions Trophy
Pat Cummins (Captain), Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Aaron Hardy, Josh Hazelwood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short, Stephen Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa
