The build-up to the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy is gathering pace, with teams formulating their plans for the prestigious tournament.
Recent format changes have also led to increased activity in the betting industry as gamblers try to secure early value in the ante post markets.
The bookmaker has India as a favorite. cricket betting At the tournament, Australia are seen as the biggest threat to their hopes of lifting the trophy.
Read on as we take a look at the latest news surrounding the ICC Champions Trophy, starting with the latest developments from the Australian camp.
Cummins appointed as Australian national team captain
Pat Cummins has been appointed Australia’s captain for the 50-over tournament despite ongoing concerns about an ankle injury.
The 31-year-old is currently on maternity leave and will not be available for the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka, but is expected to be available once the Champions Trophy begins.
National selection chairman George Bailey is confident the 31-year-old will be available for Australia’s first match against England in Lahore on February 22.
Steve Smith, Mitch Marsh or Travis Head are the most likely candidates to replace him as captain if he is unable to play. Josh Hazlewood is also in contention.
Hazelwood suffered a calf injury during the recent Test series against India but should recover in time to join the white-ball squad next month.
Australia was placed in Group B along with England, South Africa and Afghanistan. It is expected that the top two will advance to the semifinals.
Nortje is welcomed back to the South African national team.
South Africa is included Fast bowler Anrich Nortje In their squad. He has not played one-day international cricket since September 2023 due to a series of injuries.
Norce missed the 2023 World Cup and summer fixtures in South Africa due to a back fracture. He returned in 2024 in the Indian Premier League.
He later represented his country and finished runners-up in last year’s T20 World Cup, but has not played on the international stage since that tournament.
Lungi Ingidi is also back in action after recovering from a groin injury. He has been out since October 2024 but is ready to return.
Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs and Wiaan Mulder are new additions to an ODI squad that has a very familiar look.
South Africa have retained 10 of the 15 players who helped them reach the semi-finals of the 2023 World Cup and will be hoping that continuity will work in their favor in the upcoming tournament.
Gavaskar urges Indian selectors to focus on the middle order.
Former Indian cricket star Sunil Gavaskar has urged his country’s selectors to focus on middle-order batsmen while finalizing the squad.
Gavaskar believes that KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer should play important roles in the tournament along with Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson.
“KL Rahul had a fantastic 50-over World Cup.” Gavaskar said. star sports. “Shreyas Iyer – the kind of ODI World Cup he had, I think he needs some support.
“He hasn’t had that support in the last few months. I will definitely support these two players to reach the Champions Trophy.
“Fourth place would be Shreyas Iyer. KL Rahul is ranked 5th and Rishabh Pant is ranked 6th.
“Sanju Samson should be in the national team because he has scored hundreds of goals and has scored hundreds of goals for India. How can you ignore someone who has scored hundreds of runs for his country?”
