Aussies announce 30-man squad for Champions Trophy

Sydney, Aug 7 (UNI) Paving the way for his international return, Australia today named Glenn McGrath in a 30-man provisional squad, which would be trimmed to 14 on September 7, for the Champions Trophy in India in October-November.

The list also includes several new players who have done well at the domestic level.

McGrath, who has been out of the team since five months after his wife Jane was re-diagnosed with cancer, is almost certain to return to action in the ICC event.

''Experience is blended with a group of exciting young players who have largely been involved in the Australia A Top End Series recently and have come through the Commonwealth Bank Centre of Excellence (CBCE) program,'' National Selection Panel chairman Andrew Hilditch said here.

Travis Birt, alongwith pacemen Ben Hilfenhaus and Doug Bollinger, was selected for his good form in the domestic circuit.

Several other players involved in the Australia A Top End Series were also chosen, including Phil Jaques, Shaun Tait and Mitchell Johnson. The side has all the top senior players and will be led by Ricky Ponting with Adam Gilchrist as his deputy.

''There is a lot of experience in the squad which reflects the fact that Australia has been on top of the international one-day game for some time,'' Hilditch said.

Australia begins will play their first Champions Trophy match on October 18 in Mumbai.

The squad: Ricky Ponting (capt), Adam Gilchrist (vice-capt), Travis Birt, Doug Bollinger, Nathan Bracken, Stuart Clark, Michael Clarke, Mark Cosgrove, Dan Cullen, Brett Dorey, Brad Haddin, Matthew Hayden, Ben Hilfenhaus, Brad Hogg, Brad Hodge, James Hopes, David Hussey, Mike Hussey, Phil Jacques, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Brett Lee, Michael Lewis, Glenn McGrath, Shaun Marsh, Damien Martyn, Andrew Symonds, Shaun Tait, Shane Watson, Cameron White.

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