Steve Smith optimistic about Champions Trophy despite series loss to Sri Lanka

Australia's stand-in skipper Steve Smith Was unperturbed about the team's Champions Trophy prospects despite the side suffering a 2-0 ODI series reversal against Sri Lanka. 

Australia have been ravaged by selection issues, with Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Marsh all ruled out of the tournament with injuries. With pacer Mitchell Starc unavailable for selection and all-rounder Marcus Stoinis announcing his retirement from the format earlier this year, it was a much-changed Australia lining up for the ODIs against Sri Lanka.

The team suffered consecutive losses in the two-match series. In the first ODI, Australia were bowled out for 165 in a chase of 215, while in the second clash, Australia once again struggled, being snuffed out for 107 chasing a target of 282.

The absence of their frontline pacers has been a problem for Australia, with Sri Lanka's batters making merry, but Smith threw his weight behind the replacements – Nathan Ellis, Ben Dwarshius and Spencer Johnson.

"I think they've all got their own unique skills," he said. "For me, captaining them, it's about me communicating with them and trying to get the right option out of them at the right time.

"They all do it differently, Ben Dwarshius and Spencer Johnson up-top trying to swing the ball back down the line. Sean (Abbott) has terrific lengths, Nathan Ellis has change-ups."

With spin expected to be a factor in Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, Smith pointed out that Australia are well-stocked in that regard.

"Yeah, we've got a couple of spinners as well with (Adam) Zampa and Tanveer (Sangha), who's got a good skill set," he said. "[In] Maxwell and Short, we've got plenty of part-time options."

Smith was also asked for his assessment on Jake Fraser-McGurk, who was one of the players brought into Australia's Champions Trophy squad on Wednesday.

He is known for his flair and aggressive batting, and though the 22-year-old couldn't get going against Sri Lanka, scoring 2 and 9, Smith backed him to come good. "He's obviously a very aggressive player. He's got all the shots around the ground," Smith said. "It's just about picking the right time to play them."He hasn't quite gotten going yet, but he played a couple of nice shots out there and we know the talent he possesses.

"That's why he's in this squad. He's dangerous, and the wickets in Pakistan suit him."

Australia begin their ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025 campaign against England in Lahore on 22 February.