Bailey Confirms Warner Not Considered for 2025 ODI Champions Trophy
David Warner will not be considered for the upcoming ODI Champions Trophy next year, despite expressing openness to play in the tournament following his retirement from international cricket. Warner had initially announced his retirement after the T20 World Cup, marking an end to his illustrious career across formats. However, George Bailey, Australia’s national selector, affirmed that Warner is viewed as retired, emphasizing his significant contributions as an all-format player.
“Our understanding is that David is retired, and he deserves recognition for his remarkable career across all three formats,” Bailey stated. “While there may be speculation from David, we are planning without him for the upcoming tournament in Pakistan.”
Bailey acknowledged Warner’s playful remarks, noting his outstanding career and the enduring legacy he leaves behind for Australian cricket. He also emphasized the selectors’ focus on transitioning to new players, particularly evident in recent squad selections for T20I tours. The selectors have introduced fresh faces like Cooper Connolly and Jake Fraser-McGurk following Australia’s exit in the Super Eight stage of the recent T20 World Cup in the West Indies.
While Matthew Wade has been excluded from the squad, his future with the team remains uncertain, pending official decisions. Mitchell Starc and Glenn Maxwell have been rested from T20Is, with discussions on their long-term future in the format set to unfold ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. Australia’s upcoming schedule includes nine T20Is this year and a series in the West Indies next July, building towards the next World Cup.
Reflecting on Australia’s recent T20 World Cup campaign, Bailey expressed frustration over the team’s sudden downturn with losses to Afghanistan and India after a strong start. Despite the setbacks, Bailey believes in the team’s foundation and sees the opportunity to integrate new talent for future campaigns.
Looking ahead, Bailey praised Mitchell Marsh’s captaincy during the T20 World Cup and confirmed his leadership role for the upcoming UK tour, where Pat Cummins will be absent due to conditioning priorities ahead of the home summer.
“I’ve been impressed with Mitchell’s leadership,” Bailey commented. “He showed clear direction throughout the T20 World Cup, and although we fell short of our goals, his early success as captain bodes well for the team’s future.”
The selectors remain focused on refining the squad and exploring new opportunities as they prepare for upcoming challenges, including the Champions Trophy and future international tours.
