Australia’s strength still intact despite missing key players, says Shane Watson

Former cricketer Shane Watson has praised Australia’s chances in the ongoing ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, describing the two-time champions as "very hard to beat," despite missing several key players from their squad.

In his recent column for the International Cricket Council (ICC), Watson acknowledged the lack of experience in Australia's bowling unit but emphasized that the team would still be one of the toughest contenders in the tournament.

“I think Australia will be very hard to beat, even if their bowling squad is not quite as experienced as they might otherwise have been,” Watson wrote.

Watson also highlighted Glenn Maxwell as a player to watch in the tournament, calling him the potential standout performer for Australia. He noted Maxwell’s impressive form in the Big Bash League (BBL) and expressed confidence in his ability to shine on the big stage. 

“The stand-out player for me is Glenn Maxwell,” Watson added. 

“With what I have seen recently, especially in the Big Bash, I believe he has some of his best cricket in front of him across the next two or three years, and I would be very surprised if he does not dominate this Champions Trophy," Watson further added. 

Watson further mentioned Maxwell's unforgettable performance in the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, where he scored a double century against Afghanistan, though he acknowledged that Maxwell has sometimes struggled with consistency, a challenge often faced due to his role in the team.

“However, it now just feels like it has all fallen into place for him, and that’s with everything in his life, not just his cricket, so I think he will play a pivotal part,” Watson concluded.

Maxwell's recent performances back up Watson's confidence. He finished as the fourth-highest run-scorer in the latest edition of the Big Bash League, scoring 325 runs in nine innings at an outstanding strike rate of 186.78. He also played a key role in Australia’s successful ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 campaign, where he accumulated 400 runs in nine matches.

With Maxwell in form and Australia’s overall strength, Watson believes the team remains a force to reckon with in the Champions Trophy 2025.