Bulk of Australia’s depleted Champions Trophy squad have played a lot of ODI cricket recently

There is a key detail missing from Australia’s squad for the Champions Trophy with the unusual line-up raising eyebrows.

Since Australia won the 2023 ODI World Cup, 25 players have turned out across 13 50-over games heading to the Champions Trophy, and two smashings by Sri Lanka last week have cast doubt about their chances of taking out the ICC tournament.

Injuries and withdrawals have seemingly hit the 15-man squad hard, including the loss of first-choice fast bowlers Pat Cummins, Mitch Starc and Josh Hazlewood as well as key all-rounders Mitch Marsh and Marcus Stoinis from the original group.

But a regular selection position to rest many of those key men for ODIs played in and around major Test series has created a situation where the bulk of those in Pakistan preparing for Saturday’s opening clash with England have been the most consistent names in the team over the past 18 months.

Steve Smith will captain Australia having played in all but one of the ODIs since the 2023 World Cup triumph, his 12 games matching the appearances of first-choice spinner Adam Zampa.

Steve Smith will have a big job to do in Sri Lanka. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Marnus Labuschagne, who was originally left out of the World Cup squad but fought his way back in and was at the crease when the winning runs were hit at Ahmedabad against India, has also played 11 of the 13 ODIs since.

He was left out of the second ODI in Colombo last week that Australia lost by a record 174 runs, raising questions about his place in the best team having also struggled for runs in the two Tests in Galle.

But his non-selection was part of a pre-ordained plan, and Smith said his batting mate would be “in the conversation” for the opening clash with England in Lahore.

All-rounder Aaron Hardie has quietly become an ODI mainstay also, appearing in 12 of 13 ODIs since the World Cup win, even opening the bowling in Sri Lanka, while Matt Short, who could open the batting with Travis Head, has also played 11.

Sean Abbott, who will carry a big bowling load, has played 10 of the past 13 ODIs and Josh Inglis, a World Cup winner coming off a debut Test century, has played nine, even taking the captaincy in Perth against Pakistan late last year.

Aaron Hardie opened the bowling for Australia in Sri Lanka. Picture: Ishara S. Kodikara / AFP

But while the presence of players has been relatively consistent as preparation for the tournament, the Australians’ returns during that time haven’t.

The win-loss record sits at 7-6 in those 13-games, the last two defeats the most concerning against a team that was not good enough to qualify for the Champions Trophy.

“We were certainly trying a few different things,” Smith said after his team was bowled out for their lowest ODI score in Sri Lanka last Friday.

“You don’t see an Australian team making five changes day-in, day-out. It was about everyone having an opportunity to get some time in the middle.

“We haven’t played 50-over cricket for a little while and we’re just getting back to the rhythm of it.

“It doesn’t mean we performed well out there – we got outplayed by Sri Lanka and they played really well.

“But hopefully we can take something from it, move forward and have a good tournament in Pakistan.”

Australia will play England, South Africa and Afghanistan in the pool matches at the Champions Trophy.

ODIs played by Champions Trophy squad members since 2023 World Cup win

12 - Steve Smith, Adam Zampa, Aaron Hardie

11 - Marnus Labuschagne, Matt Short

10 - Sean Abbott

9 - Josh Inglis

7 - Glenn Maxwell, Jake Fraser-McGurk

6 - Travis Head

5 - Alex Carey

2 - Ben Dwarshuis, Spencer Johnson

1 - Nathan Ellis, Tanveer Sangha

Travelling reserve: Cooper Connolly