The build up to the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy is gathering pace, with the teams formulating their plans for the prestigious tournament.
The recent conformation of the format has also ramped up activity in the betting industry as punters strive to grab some early value in the ante-post market.
Bookmakers have installed India as the favourites in the cricket betting for the tournament, while Australia are rated as the biggest threat to their hopes of lifting the trophy.
Read on as we look at some of the latest news relating to the ICC Champions Trophy, starting with the latest developments from the Aussie camp.
Cummins named captain by Australia
Pat Cummins has been named as Australia’s captain for the 50-over tournament, despite ongoing concerns about his ankle injury.
The 31-year-old is currently on paternity leave and will miss the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka, but is expected to be available when the Champions Trophy starts.
National selection chair George Bailey is confident the 31-year-old will be fit to play in Australia’s first game 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 cannot play. Josh Hazlewood is also in contention.
Hazelwood suffered a calf strain during the recent Test series against India, but should recover in time to take his place in the white-ball squad next month.
Australia have been placed in Group B alongside England, South Africa and Afghanistan. They are expected to finish in the top two and progress to the semi-finals.
Nortje makes a welcome return to South Africa’s squad
South Africa have 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.
Nortje missed the 2023 World Cup and South Africa’s summer schedule due to a stress fracture on his back. He made a comeback in the 2024 Indian Premier League.
He subsequently represented his country as they finished runners-up in the T20 World Cup last year, but has not played on the international stage since that tournament.
Lungi Ingidi is also back in the fold after recovering from a groin injury. He has been sidelined since October 2024, but is ready to return to action.
Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs and Wiaan Mulder are new additions to an ODI squad which has an extremely familiar look to it.
South Africa have retained 10 of the 15 players who helped them reach the 2023 World Cup semi-finals and they will hope the continuity works in their favour 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 place a strong emphasis on middle order batsmen when they finalise the squad.
Gavaskar believes KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer should play key roles in the tournament alongside Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson.
“KL Rahul had a fantastic 50-over World Cup,” Gavaskar told Star Sports. “Shreyas Iyer – the kind of ODI World Cup he had, I think he needed some backing.
“In the last few months, he has not got that backing. I will definitely back these two guys to be there in the Champions Trophy.
“Number four will be Shreyas Iyer. Number five will be KL Rahul and number six will be Rishabh Pant.
“Sanju Samson, with the hundreds he has scored, has to be in the squad because he has scored hundreds for India. How can you ignore somebody who is scoring hundreds for his country?”
