McGrath back for Champs Trophy

The Australian squad for next month’s ICC Champions Trophy in India was named today and sees the welcome return of Glenn McGrath among the five pace bowlers named. McGrath, who has been out of international action since January to be with his wife during yet another seemingly successful battle against cancer, joins fellow New South Welshmen Stuart Clark, Nathan Bracken and Brett Lee in the pace attack, as well as Mitchell Johnson.

Not only will McGrath’s return boost the side in their bid for a first Champions Trophy title, it will also give an idea on where the 36-year old is in terms of his Ashes preparation and provide much-needed match practice ahead of a summer in which he will have a substantial workload.

The rest of the 14-man squad is fairly predictable, with the possible exception of the inclusion of both Andrew Symonds and Shane Watson.

Although they have been the dominant side in ODI cricket in the last decade, Australia have yet to lift the Champions Trophy, with their best result being a semi-final in 2004, when they were defeated by runners-up England.