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17-Sep-2009 11:25:00 GMT
Preview - Champions Trophy, 2009

Australia - Team Preview For Champions Trophy

Sydney: The Australian team is in a rebuilding phase while skipper Ricky Ponting is reassessing his future priorities as the one-time kingpins prepare for the defence of the Champions Trophy.

Shaken by the recent loss of the Ashes to England and the subsequent recriminations, the Australians are typically fighting back, stretching to a 5-0 lead over England in the on-going ODI series.

Since the 2007 World Cup triumph in the Caribbean, the Aussies have dropped home series against India and South Africa and lost two ODIs in a five-match series against Pakistan in Dubai/Abu Dhabi last May.

The Australians are developing a new one-day team for the 2011 World Cup and a new generation of stars are in the making, learning hard lessons along the way.

"The team is in a rebuilding phase and we look forward to seeing how this squad goes in South Africa as we prepare for the 2011 World Cup in the subcontinent."

Ponting, who became the first Australian skipper in 100 years to lose two consecutive Ashes Test series in England, took some time off during the ongoing seven-match ODI series in England to escape the pressures.

He obviously has an eye on Australia's demanding playing schedule beyond the Champions' Trophy, including a one-day series against India in October as well as six home Tests against the West Indies and Pakistan.

Ponting has already announced his retirement from international Twenty20 cricket in a bid to prolong his Test career.

Ponting has become the team elder in a younger group following the retirements of Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden, Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Justin Langer.

He now relies on vice-captain Michael Clarke and senior batsman Mike Hussey for the experience that is largely missing from the current set-up.

Australia's Trophy chances also took a blow with the loss of wicketkeeper Brad Haddin following finger surgery.

The big-hitting Haddin broke the ring finger of his left hand prior to the third Edgbaston Ashes Test and has been replaced in the Trophy squad by Tasmanian Tim Paine.

The Australians will be also relying on the batting of emerging star Callum Ferguson and allrounder Shane Watson and the bowling of Ashes troupe, Ben Hilfenhaus, Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle and Nathan Hauritz, complemented by senior seamers Brett Lee and Nathan Bracken.

Australia Squad

S# Player DOB Matches Batting Bowling
14
Ricky Ponting (c)
19 December 1974
315
Right
Right arm medium pace
59
Nathan Bracken
12 September 1977
110
Right
Left arm medium-fast
23
Michael Clarke
2 April 1981
156
Right
Slow left-arm orthodox
12
Callum Ferguson
21 November 1984
14
Right
Right arm medium pace
43
Nathan Hauritz
18 October 1981
19
Right
Right arm off break
N/A
Ben Hilfenhaus
15 March 1983
12
Right
Right arm fast-medium
39
James Hopes
24 October 1978
56
Right
Right arm medium-fast
48
Michael Hussey
27 May 1975
108
Left
Right arm medium pace
25
Mitchell Johnson
2 November 1981
55
Left
Left arm fast
58
Brett Lee
8 November 1976
173
Right
Right arm fast
36
Tim Paine
8 December 1984
2
Right
wicket-keeper
N/A
Peter Siddle
25 November 1984
1
Right
Right arm fast-medium
24
Adam Voges
4 October 1979
2
Right
Slow left arm chinamen
33
Shane Watson
17 June 1981
77
Right
Right arm fast-medium
7
Cameron White
18 August 1983
28
Right
Right arm leg break

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