Strongest Australia playing XI for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

The Australian Cricket Team is the most successful side in the history of the international cricket circuit. With 6 ODI World Cups, 2 Champions Trophies, 1 WTC title, and 1 T20 World Cup, the Aussies find themselves on the pinnacle of cricket. Recently, they defeated India in an ODI World Cup final and in the World Test Championship final, showcasing their dominance over other nations. 

The Baggy Greens would look forward to starting their 2025 ICC Champions Trophy campaign on February 22 on a winning note as they face England at the Gaddafi Stadium in Pakistan. Post that, they will face the likes of South Africa and Afghanistan in the group stage. Their four experienced campaigners namely Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, and Mitchell Marsh are out of the tournament. In Cummins' absence, Steve Smith has been handed over the captaincy duties. Ahead of Australia's first game, here’s a look at their predicted playing XI for the clash against England in ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Australia's predicted playing XI vs England

1: Travis Head

Opener, Travis Head will go into the tournament as a player to watch out for. Known for fearless stroke play and the ability to take on the bowlers from the very start, Travis Head will have the responsibility to give his team top-notch starts in the powerplay.  

Head's ability to equally dominate pace and spin makes him a crucial player at the top of the order. His attacking mindset helps Australia set the tone early in the innings and helps the team post challenging scores on the board. 

2. Matthew Short

Dynamic top-order batter, Matthew Short has made a name for himself in white-ball cricket with his explosive batting and all-round abilities. He can take full advantage of the powerplay with his aggressive stroke play, and his ability to play both pace and spin makes him a versatile option. Additionally, his off-spin bowling adds balance to the squad, making him a handy all-rounder in ODI cricket. In 2025, Matthew Short has played 2 ODI matches, managing 2 runs with a strike rate of 20.

3. Steve Smith (c)

The backbone of Australia's batting order, Steve Smith is expected to lead the side by example. Smith has a vast experience of playing in ICC tournaments. His ability to play long innings and anchor the team during difficult phases makes him a vital asset. In the absence of senior bowlers, his experience in handling pressure, reading the game, and making tactical decisions should come in handy.

4: Marnus Labuschagne

One of the better batsmen in the Australia squad, Marnus Labuschagne is a technically sound batsman, who provides stability to Australia's middle order. He is excellent against both pace and spin, often playing the role of a sheet anchor while rotating the strike effectively. His ability to build partnerships and play calculated innings makes him an important player in Australia’s ODI setup. In 2025, Marnus Labuschagne has played a single ODI match, managing 15 runs with a strike rate of 55.55.

5. Josh Inglis

Versatile wicketkeeper-batter, Josh Inglis is known for his aggressive batting and adaptability across formats. He is capable of accelerating the scoring rate in the middle overs and playing innovative shots, making him a key finisher. Inglis has also been impressive against spin, which is crucial in subcontinent conditions.

In 2025, Josh Inglis has played a single ODI match, managing 22 runs with a strike rate of 81.48.

6: Glenn Maxwell

Astralia’s X-factor, Glenn Maxwell has been a crisis man for the Baggy Greens in various ICC tournaments. He is known for his explosive batting, off-spin bowling, and electric fielding. He can change games single-handedly with his unorthodox stroke play and fearless approach. Maxwell’s knack for playing outrageous shots and clearing boundaries makes him a dangerous middle-order batter.

7: Alex Carey (wk)

Alex Carey has been a threat to the opposition down the order, in recent times. He is known for his calm approach, excellent glove work, and ability to play crucial knocks under pressure. Carey’s game awareness and ability to rotate the strike make him an effective middle-order batter, and he can also finish games when required.

In 2025, Alex Carey has played a single ODI match, managing to score 41 runs with a strike rate of 107.89.

8: Aaron Hardie

Young promising all-rounder, Aaron Hardie adds balance to the side with his right-arm medium pace and powerful batting. He is a handy lower-order batter capable of clearing the ropes in the death overs. With the ball, Hardie provides a reliable pace option, who can generate bounce and movement, making him effective in different conditions. His all-round abilities give Australia flexibility in team composition.

In 2025, Aaron Hardie has played 2 ODI matches, scoring 32 runs and taking 3 wickets for the Australian side.

9: Nathan Ellis

Right-arm seamer, Nathan Ellis is a skilled fast bowler known for his accuracy, variations, and ability to bowl under pressure. He is particularly effective in the death overs, with a well-disguised slower ball and excellent yorkers. Ellis has impressed in limited-overs cricket with his ability to adapt to different conditions, making him a key asset in Australia's pace attack. 

10: Spencer Johnson

With raw pace and the ability to generate extra bounce, Spencer Johnson is a potent weapon in Australia’s bowling attack. His ability to swing the new ball and bowl sharp short deliveries makes him a tough bowler to face, especially in helpful conditions. Johnson can also be used effectively in the death overs due to his ability to bowl yorkers and slower variations.

11: Adam Zampa

Australia’s premier leg-spinner, Adam Zampa is known for his attacking mindset, flighted deliveries, and ability to deceive batsmen with his variations. His control and consistency make him a key bowler, particularly against teams that struggle against spin. His experience in white-ball cricket, including in pressure situations, makes him an essential part of Australia’s bowling lineup in the Champions Trophy.