Australia has pulled a Champions Trophy selection shock, with one-day mainstay James Faulkner and maligned batsman Usman Khawaja both copping the axe ahead of the June tournament.
Australia squad: Steve Smith (captain), David Warner (vice-captain), Pat Cummins, Aaron Finch, John Hastings, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Chris Lynn, Glenn Maxwell, James Pattinson, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade (wicketkeeper), Adam Zampa.
Australian selector Trevor Hohns referred to the four quicks as a "fast-bowling artillery" and "a very exciting proposition for Australian cricket".
But Tasmanian all-rounder James Faulkner was omitted from the side, with Hohns describing him as an "unlucky omission" after other players returned to fitness.
Head and Aaron Finch are the likely contenders to open the batting with vice-captain David Warner.
Australian selectors have made a decision to unleash the entirety of the four-pronged pace attack they hope will decimate England in the summer Ashes, with James Pattinson included alongside Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc - who is expected to recover from a foot injury in time.
"We are in a very fortunate position at the moment with a large number of quality players available for selection, as such this was a very hard team to choose and there have been some unlucky players on this occasion".
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He also addressed how proud he is that several Patriots, including Belichick and Kraft, have ties to the military and are "big supporters".
He was the man-of-the-match in the final of the last major 50-over tournament, the 2015 World Cup, when his 3-36 from nine overs helped Australia to victory over New Zealand.
Also named in the squad is Chris Lynn who hurt his shoulder while fielding for Kolkata Knight Riders during the on-going IPL.
"Moises finished off the domestic season very well and has had a great start in the Indian Premier League", Hohns said. "We believe Moises' batting has improved significantly in the past six months".
Allrounders Marcus Stoinis and Moises Henriques have been picked while Australia could unleash a dream pace quartet of Starc, Pattinson, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins for the first time in an global match.
Australia are in Pool B with New Zealand, England and Bangladesh. The players who are not part of IPL - Josh Hazlewood, Matthew Wade and Starc - will leave for the training camp by May 18 while those part of IPL, will finish with the tournament and then join the camp.
They seemed to have recovered from foot and shoulder injuries, respectively.





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