‘We have got loads of choices’: Steve Smith optimistic about Australia’s Champions Trophy prospects | Cricket Information

Australia captain Steve Smith (Pic credit score: CA)

Australia’s stand-in skipper Steve Smith stays assured about his crew’s prospects on the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, regardless of a 2-0 ODI sequence loss to Sri Lanka.
Australia, stricken by choice setbacks, entered the sequence with out key gamers Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Marsh, all sidelined as a result of accidents. With Mitchell Starc unavailable and Marcus Stoinis having retired from ODIs earlier this yr, the squad underwent vital modifications. The makeshift Australian aspect struggled, struggling consecutive defeats in Sri Lanka – failing to chase 215 within the first ODI and collapsing for 107 in pursuit of 282 within the second.
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Regardless of the disappointing outcomes, Smith backed the crew’s bowling assault, significantly the pacers who’ve stepped up within the absence of senior gamers.
“I feel they’ve all bought their very own distinctive expertise,” Smith mentioned. “For me, captaining them, it is about me speaking with them and attempting to get the best possibility out of them on the proper time.
“All of them do it in a different way – Ben Dwarshius and Spencer Johnson up-top attempting to swing the ball again down the road. Sean (Abbott) has terrific lengths, Nathan Ellis has change-ups.”

With spin anticipated to play a vital function in Pakistan, the place the Champions Trophy will likely be held, Smith expressed confidence in Australia’s sources.
“Yeah, we have got a few spinners as effectively with (Adam) Zampa and Tanveer (Sangha), who’s bought a very good talent set,” he famous. “[In] Maxwell and Quick, we have got loads of part-time choices.”
Smith additionally weighed in on Jake Fraser-McGurk, one of many newest inclusions in Australia’s Champions Trophy squad. The 22-year-old, identified for his aggressive batting, struggled within the Sri Lanka sequence, managing simply 2 and 9 in his two outings. Nonetheless, Smith backed him to search out his rhythm in Pakistan.
“He is clearly a really aggressive participant. He is bought all of the pictures across the floor,” Smith mentioned. “It is nearly choosing the right time to play them. He hasn’t fairly gotten going but, however he performed a few good pictures on the market, and we all know the expertise he possesses. That is why he is on this squad. He is harmful, and the wickets in Pakistan go well with him.”
Australia will start their Champions Trophy marketing campaign in opposition to England in Lahore on February 22.