From Steve Smith as Captain to Spencer Johnson replacing Starc: 4 Key Changes in Australia’s Champions Trophy Squad!
Spencer Johnson is a proficient left-arm pace bowler who competes for South Australia in first-class cricket. He made his initial appearance against Victoria in 2017 and subsequently received a rookie contract from South Australia during the 2017-18 domestic season.
Like many fast bowlers, Johnson faced challenges with injuries, which led to a period away from the game. He made his return to South Australia’s squad in the 2020/21 season, where he soon made his first-class debut. His distinctive hit-the-deck bowling style, consistently exceeding 140kph, began to attract attention.
In the 2020/21 season, he was part of the Adelaide Strikers, but his debut in the Big Bash League occurred in the 2022/23 season with the Brisbane Heat. He was subsequently selected for the Australian team for a T20I series against South Africa, marking his debut in that format. His first One Day International appearance followed shortly after in a series against India. Additionally, he secured a contract to play for the Oval Invincibles in The Hundred and obtained a lucrative deal to participate in the IPL with the Gujarat Titans in 2024.
Australia’s pursuit of the Champions Trophy faced a significant setback on Wednesday as the formidable pace trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood were all declared unavailable. Cummins (ankle) and Hazlewood (side and calf) were already considered doubtful, but Starc has now also withdrawn for personal reasons. Steve Smith will once again take on the role of captain, having previously stepped in for Cummins during the two-Test series against Sri Lanka earlier this month. The 15-man squad will also be without all-rounder Marcus Stoinis, who announced his retirement from the 50-over format last week, as well as Mitchell Marsh, who was already sidelined due to a back injury.
The team has experienced a significant change in the past month, primarily due to several unfortunate injuries and the retirement of Marcus Stoinis, stated chief selector George Bailey.
“On a positive note, we have been able to bring in players who have gained international experience and achieved success over the last year.”
“Our seasoned players will create a robust core to assist us in our pursuit of victory in this edition of the Champions Trophy,” he continued.
“We will have numerous options at our disposal to adjust the playing XI throughout the tournament based on the opponents and the conditions we face.”
Starc was the only member of the “Big Three” fast-bowling trio to participate in all seven Tests against India and Sri Lanka during the current Australian summer.
Bailey expressed considerable respect for Starc’s decision, the motivations for which will remain confidential.
“Mitch is highly regarded for his dedication to international cricket and the emphasis he places on representing Australia,” he stated.
“His absence is undoubtedly a setback for the Champions Trophy campaign, but it also presents an opportunity for another player to shine in the tournament.”
Starc will also withdraw from the ODI series against Sri Lanka, which is set to commence later today in Colombo with two matches. The gap left by the experienced bowler has created opportunities for Spencer Johnson, Nathan Ellis, and Ben Dwarshuis.
Aaron Hardie will take on the role of seam-allrounder, while the promising leg spinner Tanveer Sangha has been included to support Adam Zampa.
The eight-team Champions Trophy is scheduled to take place from February 19 to March 9 in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.
Australia squad: Steve Smith (capt), 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
Australia’s bowling unit asserted its dominance by dismissing Sri Lanka’s top order during the first innings of the inaugural ODI international on Wednesday, February 12, 2025.
Spencer Johnson and Aaron Hardie each claimed two wickets, while Sean Abbott contributed with one wicket.
Earlier in the match, Sri Lanka’s captain, Charith Asalanka, won the toss and opted to bat first in this opening encounter of the two-match ODI series against Australia. This series serves as a preparatory phase for the Australian team ahead of the Champions Trophy scheduled to take place later this month in Pakistan, a tournament Sri Lanka did not qualify for.
Australia chose to rest key players Travis Head, Josh Inglis, and Glenn Maxwell. In contrast, Sri Lanka made a single alteration from their previous ODI against New Zealand in Auckland in January, with Dunith Wellalage stepping in for Chamindu Wickramasinghe. The Sri Lankan lineup included Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (captain), Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Eshan Malinga, and Asitha Fernando.
The Australian team comprised Matt Short, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Cooper Connolly, Steve Smith (captain), Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey, Aaron Hardie, Sean Abbott, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, and Spencer Johnson.
