Australian ODI icon Adam Gilchrist has advocated for a reshuffle in the batting order ahead of the Champions Trophy.
The Australian team celebrated back-to-back titles in 2006 and 2009, yet they have not held the trophy for over ten years, making it the only missing accolade in their collection.
Having opened the batting alongside Shane Watson during the victorious 2006 campaign, Gilchrist acknowledges that the current openers are not firmly established as the team readies for its first match this Saturday.
Both Matt Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk have struggled to secure runs, with Australia winning only two of their last eight ODIs.
Last week, the squad faced heavy defeats to Sri Lanka in two matches.
Steve Smith of Australia. Getty
Gilchrist suggested that Steve Smith could be pushed up to open the batting, with Travis Head being a natural choice to join him at the top.
“Travis is a sure selection when he’s fit and ready, and they are selecting their strongest line-up,” Gilchrist remarked on ABC radio.
“I’m supportive of Matt Short being included – that would create an appealing left-hand/right-hand combination. That’s my preferred approach.
“However, I believe Smith has the potential to open – he has certainly shown his calibre in T20 cricket. Yet, he might be too crucial for that middle-order role.
“I see no reason why he shouldn’t be facing as many deliveries as possible in a 50-over match – moving him up the order could be a great strategy.”
Here’s all you need to know about the Champions Trophy.
Australia’s Jake Fraser-McGurk departs after being dismissed against Sri Lanka. AP
WHAT IS THE CHAMPIONS TROPHY?
The Champions Trophy is an international cricket tournament organised by the International Cricket Council (ICC), taking place every four years.
This ODI-format competition features the top eight ranked teams from the 2023 ODI World Cup, with Pakistan automatically qualifying as the host nation.
Previously known as the ICC Knockout Trophy and held biennially, the event shifted to a quadrennial schedule starting in 2009.
However, the tournament was suspended due to the COVID pandemic — until now.
WHO IS HOSTING THE CHAMPIONS TROPHY?
Pakistan will be the host nation, but all matches involving India, including any finals they might play in, will be held in Dubai due to ongoing political tensions between the two nations.
The two countries are set to meet in the group stages in Dubai.
SCHEDULE
The Champions Trophy commences on Wednesday, February 19 (AEDT) with Pakistan taking on New Zealand at National Stadium, Karachi, culminating with the final at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on Sunday, March 9.
Australia’s campaign kicks off on Saturday, February 22 with a Group B match against England, followed by fixtures against South Africa and Afghanistan before the knockout rounds begin.
Australia’s group stage fixtures:
February 22: Australia vs England, Lahore, 8pm
February 25: Australia vs South Africa, Rawalpindi, 8pm
February 28: Afghanistan vs Australia, Lahore, 8pm
SQUADS
Group A
Bangladesh: Nazmul Hossain Shanto (c), Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan, Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mohammad Mahmudullah, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Parvez Hossai Emon, Nasum Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Nahid Rana.
India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakaravarthy.
New Zealand: Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Kane Williamson, Will Young.
Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Group B
Afghanistan: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Ikram Alikhil, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharoti, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Farid Malik, Naveed Zadran.
Australia: 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. Travelling reserve: Cooper Connolly.
England: Jos Buttler (c), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Tom Banton, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Jamie Smith, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Saqib Mahmood, Phil Salt, Mark Wood.
South Africa: Temba Bavuma (c), Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, Corbin Bosch.
FORMAT
In the Champions Trophy, the eight competing teams are split into two groups, with each team facing their group counterparts once.
At the conclusion of the round-robin matches, the top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stages.
If India qualifies for the semi-finals, they will play in Dubai, while Pakistan will compete in Lahore, regardless of their overall standings.
March 4: Semi-final 1, Dubai (8pm AEDT)
March 5: Semi-final 2, Lahore (8pm AEDT)
March 9: Final, Lahore or Dubai (8pm AEDT)
HOW TO WATCH
Every match will be available to stream on Prime Video.
As the Australian rights holder for all ICC events until the end of 2027, no matches will be shown on free-to-air television.
PAST WINNERS
1998: South Africa champions
2000: New Zealand
2002: India and Sri Lanka
2004: West Indies
2006: Australia
2009: Australia
2013: India
2017: Pakistan
Australia has secured the Champions Trophy two times, achieving consecutive victories in 2006 and 2009.
In addition to this edition’s grand prize of $3.5 million for the champion team, members of the winning squad are also awarded a white blazer.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
Fanpage: SportArena.com.au.
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