{"id":242563,"date":"2025-02-19T20:53:57","date_gmt":"2025-02-19T20:53:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.talkwithrattan.com\/index.php\/2025\/02\/19\/australias-champions-trophy-quest-can-they-overcome-key-absences-cricket-news-the-times-of-india\/"},"modified":"2025-02-19T20:53:57","modified_gmt":"2025-02-19T20:53:57","slug":"australias-champions-trophy-quest-can-they-overcome-key-absences-cricket-news-the-times-of-india","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.talkwithrattan.com\/index.php\/2025\/02\/19\/australias-champions-trophy-quest-can-they-overcome-key-absences-cricket-news-the-times-of-india\/","title":{"rendered":"Australia&#8217;s Champions Trophy quest: Can they overcome key absences? | Cricket News &#8211; The Times of India"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"text-align:center\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-118378824,imgsize-107754,width-400,resizemode-4\/118378824.jpg?ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Australia&#8217;s Champions Trophy quest: Can they overcome key absences? | Cricket News &#8211; The Times of India\" title=\"Australia&#8217;s Champions Trophy quest: Can they overcome key absences? | Cricket News &#8211; The Times of India\" \/><\/div><p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"MwN2O\">\n<div class=\"vdo_embedd\">\n<div class=\"T22zO\">\n<section class=\"D3Wk1  clearfix id-r-component leadmedia undefined undefined  VtlfQ\" style=\"top:0px\">\n<div class=\"D3Wk1\" data-ua-type=\"1\" onclick=\"stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)\">\n<div class=\"zPaFh\">\n<div class=\"wJnIp\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"cj2hz img_cptn\"><span title=\"Team Australia (AP Photo)\">Team Australia (AP Photo)<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/topic\/icc-champions-trophy\" styleobj=\"[object Object]\" class=\"\" commonstate=\"[object Object]\" frmappuse=\"1\">ICC Champions Trophy<\/a> 2025 is all set to commence in Pakistan and the UAE, starting February 19. This ninth edition of the tournament will feature eight of the best ODI teams, marking the first time the <a href=\"https:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/topic\/icc-champions-trophy\" styleobj=\"[object Object]\" class=\"\" commonstate=\"[object Object]\" frmappuse=\"1\">Champions Trophy<\/a> is being played since 2017. The defending champions, Pakistan, will be hosting the tournament, while India will play all their matches in Dubai due to a hybrid model agreement.<br \/>The opening match of the tournament will see hosts Pakistan take on New Zealand in Karachi on February 19, setting the stage for a thrilling competition leading up to the final on March 9. Australia will kick off their campaign against England on February 22 in Lahore.<br \/><span class=\"strong\" data-ua-type=\"1\" onclick=\"stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)\">Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@toisports\" rel=\"noopener nofollow noreferrer\" styleobj=\"[object Object]\" class=\"\" commonstate=\"[object Object]\" frmappuse=\"1\">SUBSCRIBE NOW!<\/a><br \/><span class=\"strong\" data-ua-type=\"1\" onclick=\"stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)\">Teams are divided in two groups:<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"cdatainfo   id-r-component \" data-pos=\"16\">\n<ul>\n<li>Group A comprises India, Pakistan, New Zealand and Bangladesh. <\/li>\n<li>Group B consists of Australia, South Africa, England, and Afghanistan.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/p>\n<div class=\"lOvcW vdo_embedd\">\n<div class=\"k7lcu\">\n<p>Mohammad Amir Exclusive: Champions Trophy hopes, India&#8217;s absence &amp; retirement talk<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"strong\" data-ua-type=\"1\" onclick=\"stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)\">Australia&#8217;s Champions Trophy hopes: Strength in batting, questions in bowling<\/span><br \/>Australia are serial winners in global ICC events, particularly in One Day Internationals. As the reigning ODI World Champions, they will once again be one of the big favourites at the ICC Champions Trophy. However, they have suffered a major setback, making as many as five forced changes to their original 15-member squad due to injuries, personal reasons, and retirement.<br \/><span class=\"strong\" data-ua-type=\"1\" onclick=\"stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)\">A tough road ahead for Australia<\/span><br \/>Regular captain <a href=\"https:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/topic\/pat-cummins\" styleobj=\"[object Object]\" class=\"\" commonstate=\"[object Object]\" frmappuse=\"1\">Pat Cummins<\/a>, star pacers Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, key all-rounder Mitchell Marsh, and Marcus Stoinis are all unavailable for the tournament. This means Australia enter the competition with a significantly different squad from the one that triumphed in the 2023 ODI World Cup.<br \/>The absence of the experienced trio of Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood weakens their renowned pace attack, leaving the bowling unit with an inexperienced look. Spencer Johnson, Sean Abbott, and Nathan Ellis will be expected to step up in their absence.<\/p>\n<div class=\"lOvcW vdo_embedd\">\n<div class=\"k7lcu\">\n<p>Team India undergoes intense training in Dubai ahead of Champions Trophy | Exclusive Visuals<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"strong\" data-ua-type=\"1\" onclick=\"stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)\">Explosive batting key to Australia&#8217;s success<\/span><br \/>With a depleted bowling lineup, Australia&#8217;s experienced batters will have to shoulder most of the responsibility. Captain <a href=\"https:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/topic\/steve-smith\" styleobj=\"[object Object]\" class=\"\" commonstate=\"[object Object]\" frmappuse=\"1\">Steve Smith<\/a> will lead from the front alongside Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, and Glenn Maxwell. The likes of Josh Inglis and young sensation Jake Fraser-McGurk add further firepower to an already formidable lineup.<br \/><span class=\"strong\" data-ua-type=\"1\" onclick=\"stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)\">Spin options and bowling balance<\/span><br \/>Adam Zampa remains Australia&#8217;s primary spinner, while Glenn Maxwell, Travis Head and Matt Short provide additional slow-bowling options. The pace attack will rely on Spencer Johnson&#8217;s left-arm swing, Sean Abbott&#8217;s ability to hit a hard length, and Nathan Ellis&#8217; versatility.<br \/><span class=\"strong\" data-ua-type=\"1\" onclick=\"stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)\">A history of Champions Trophy dominance<\/span><br \/>Australia have won the ICC Champions Trophy twice, securing back-to-back titles in 2006 and 2009. No other team has a better record in global ICC events \u2014 six 50-over World Cups, one T20 World Cup, and two Champions Trophies make them the most formidable white-ball team in history.<\/p>\n<div class=\"lOvcW vdo_embedd\">\n<div class=\"k7lcu\">\n<p>Champions Trophy: Pant&#8217;s trademark no-look sixes and Iyer&#8217;s clean hits steal the show<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"strong\" data-ua-type=\"1\" onclick=\"stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)\">Recent form and challenges<\/span><br \/>Despite their impressive history, Australia enter the tournament following a rough patch. They recently lost a two-match ODI series 0-2 to Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka, where they struggled against spin. Additionally, they suffered a 1-2 ODI series defeat to Pakistan at home. These results have raised concerns about their ability to adapt to subcontinental conditions.<br \/><span class=\"strong\" data-ua-type=\"1\" onclick=\"stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)\">Group Stage Fixtures<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"cdatainfo   id-r-component \" data-pos=\"57\">\n<ul>\n<li>February 22 &#8211; Australia vs England, Lahore<\/li>\n<li>February 25 &#8211; Australia vs South Africa, Rawalpindi<\/li>\n<li>February 28 &#8211; Afghanistan vs Australia, Lahore<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"strong\" data-ua-type=\"1\" onclick=\"stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)\">Australia&#8217;s Champions Trophy Squad<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"cdatainfo   id-r-component \" data-pos=\"61\">\n<ul>\n<li>Squad: Steve Smith (c), Sean Abbott, Alex Carey, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa.<\/li>\n<li>Travelling Reserve: Cooper Connolly<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"strong\" data-ua-type=\"1\" onclick=\"stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)\">Trivia: Previous Champions Trophy Winners<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"cdatainfo   id-r-component \" data-pos=\"65\">\n<ul>\n<li>1998 (Bangladesh) &#8211; South Africa<\/li>\n<li>2000 (Kenya) &#8211; New Zealand<\/li>\n<li>2002 (Sri Lanka) &#8211; India and Sri Lanka (shared title)<\/li>\n<li>2004 (England) &#8211; West Indies<\/li>\n<li>2006 (India) &#8211; Australia<\/li>\n<li>2009 (South Africa) &#8211; Australia<\/li>\n<li>2013 (England, Wales) &#8211; India<\/li>\n<li>2017 (England, Wales) &#8211; Pakistan<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"strong\" data-ua-type=\"1\" onclick=\"stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)\">Can Australia overcome the odds?<\/span><br \/>Despite their injury woes, Australia remain a strong contender. Their batting lineup is packed with proven match-winners and their aggressive approach in ICC events has always served them well. However, with a weakened bowling attack and recent struggles against spin, the big question remains: can they adapt and go all the way?<br \/>Australia will look to rely on their champion mentality, resilience, and experience as they chase their third ICC Champions Trophy title.<\/div>\n<p><script>\nvar _mfq = window._mfq || [];\n_mfq.push([\"setVariable\", \"toi_titan\", window.location.href]);\n!(function(f, b, e, v, n, t, s) {\n    function loadFBEvents(isFBCampaignActive) {\n      if (!isFBCampaignActive) {\n        return;\n      }\n      (function(f, b, e, v, n, t, s) {\n        if (f.fbq) return;\n        n = f.fbq = function() {\n          n.callMethod ? n.callMethod(...arguments) : n.queue.push(arguments);\n        };\n        if (!f._fbq) f._fbq = n;\n        n.push = n;\n        n.loaded = !0;\n        n.version = '2.0';\n        n.queue = [];\n        t = b.createElement(e);\n        t.async = !0;\n        t.defer = !0;\n        t.src = v;\n        s = b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];\n        s.parentNode.insertBefore(t, s);\n      })(f, b, e, 'https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/fbevents.js', n, t, s);\n      fbq('init', '593671331875494');\n      fbq('track', 'PageView');\n    };\n    function loadGtagEvents(isGoogleCampaignActive) {\n      if (!isGoogleCampaignActive) {\n        return;\n      }\n      var id = document.getElementById('toi-plus-google-campaign');\n      if (id) {\n        return;\n      }\n      (function(f, b, e, v, n, t, s) {\n        t = b.createElement(e);\n        t.async = !0;\n        t.defer = !0;\n        t.src = v;\n        t.id = 'toi-plus-google-campaign';\n        s = b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];\n        s.parentNode.insertBefore(t, s);\n      })(f, b, e, 'https:\/\/www.googletagmanager.com\/gtag\/js?id=AW-877820074', n, t, s);\n    };\n    function loadSurvicateJs(allowedSurvicateSections = []){\n      const section =  window.location.pathname.split('\/')[1]\n      const isHomePageAllowed = window.location.pathname === '\/' && allowedSurvicateSections.includes('homepage')\n      if(allowedSurvicateSections.includes(section) || isHomePageAllowed){\n        (function(w) {\n         function setAttributes() {\n                    var prime_user_status = window.isPrime ? 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This ninth edition of the tournament will feature eight of the best ODI teams, marking the first time the Champions Trophy is being played since 2017. The defending champions, Pakistan, will be hosting [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":242564,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-118378824,imgsize-107754,width-400,resizemode-4\/118378824.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[605],"tags":[188637,187433,59419,120611,15526,6686,34009,177835,270,39070,45384,273,2733,271,15200,8010,3576,8344,272,1265],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.talkwithrattan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/242563"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.talkwithrattan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.talkwithrattan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.talkwithrattan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.talkwithrattan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=242563"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/news.talkwithrattan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/242563\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":242565,"href":"https:\/\/news.talkwithrattan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/242563\/revisions\/242565"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.talkwithrattan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/242564"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.talkwithrattan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=242563"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.talkwithrattan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=242563"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.talkwithrattan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=242563"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}