Champions Trophy: Australia's strongest starting playing XI

Australia will be one of the favourites to win the upcoming Champions Trophy. However, despite announcing a strong squad, they have suffered major setbacks with injuries to skipper Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Marsh, along with Marcus Stoinis' sudden retirement from ODIs.

Cummins and Hazlewood were already dealing with fitness concerns, and earlier today, Cricket Australia confirmed that neither will have enough time to fully recover before the tournament. Marsh has been ruled out due to a back injury, while Stoinis has announced his immediate retirement from ODI cricket. 

As a result, Cricket Australia needs to name four replacements for the tournament. According to reports, Sean Abbott, Tanveer Sangha, Cooper Connolly, Spencer Johnson, Jake Fraser-McGurk, and Ben Dwarshuis have joined the ODI squad for the upcoming Sri Lanka series, with the final Champions Trophy squad to be confirmed next week.

Australia are currently playing a two-match Test series in Sri Lanka, followed by two ODIs, which will serve as crucial preparation for the Champions Trophy. Based on the available squad, their likely lineup could feature Matt Short and Travis Head as openers. Steve Smith will slot in at number three, while Marnus Labuschagne is a settled number four.

Both batters are good players of spin, and on spin-friendly wickets in Pakistan, this will be a key factor. For teams like Australia, how their batters manage scoring during the middle overs against spinners could be decisive. Even, it is also highly possible that in Cummins’ absence, Smith might lead the team.

With Stoinis unavailable, Glenn Maxwell is expected to take the number five spot, given his power-hitting and experience. Once replacements are confirmed, Australia will likely include one or two more all-rounders at number six or seven. For now, Alex Carey, Aaron Hardie, and Josh Inglis should fill those positions. Carey might be given the wicket-keeping duties. 

Adam Zampa will be the main leg-spinner, while Sean Abbott, Mitchell Starc, and Nathan Ellis will lead the pace attack. In addition to the three frontline pacers and Zampa, Maxwell, Head, and Short can contribute crucial overs in the middle phase to control the opposition’s scoring rate.      

Here is Australia's strongest starting playing XI for the Champions Trophy 

Matthew Short, Travis Head, Steve Smith (c), Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Alex Carey (wk), Aaron Hardie, Adam Zampa, Sean Abbott, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Ellis.

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