Australia’s struggles on the field continue, and their recent series against Sri Lanka has left a lot to be desired. The Australian team was handed a crushing 174-run defeat in the second match of the two-game ODI series, resulting in a 2-0 clean sweep for the Sri Lankans. This loss comes as a significant blow to the Australians, who will now head to Pakistan to participate in the Champions Trophy.

Champions Trophy preparations in shambles

The Australian team’s preparation for the Champions Trophy has been less than ideal, with several key players sidelined due to injuries. The team’s bowling has been a major concern, and now their batting seems to be following suit. In the first ODI against Sri Lanka, they were bowled out for 165, and in the second, they managed a mere 107 runs. This is a worrying sign for the Australians, who are looking to turn their fortunes around before the Champions Trophy.

The Australian team’s recent performances have raised questions about their ability to compete at the highest level. They have been unable to win a single match in the last two Champions Trophy tournaments, being eliminated in the group stages on both occasions. In 2013, they were part of Group A, alongside England, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand. They suffered defeats at the hands of England and Sri Lanka, while their match against New Zealand was abandoned due to rain. The 2017 tournament was no different, with two of their group stage matches being washed out due to rain, and their only completed match resulting in a loss to England.

Squad announced for Champions Trophy

The Australian team has announced their squad for the Champions Trophy, which includes: Steve Smith (captain), 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, and Adam Zampa. With their current form and injury concerns, it remains to be seen how the Australians will fare in the Champions Trophy.