Champions Trophy: The West Sport Show’s predicted team for Australia’s first match at global tournament

Australia’s bowling attack has been left decimated by injury and unavailability leading into next week’s Champions Trophy and they suffered a shock defeat to Sri Lanka on Wednesday. So who is left and who could they call on for the opening match against England on Saturday? The West’s cricket writer Jackson Barrett had a go on this week’s episode of The West Sports Show. PREDICTED TEAM FOR CHAMPIONS TROPHY - Spencer Johnson comes into the bowling attack in place of Mitchell Starc. Fellow left-armer Ben Dwarshius lengthens the batting line-up and beats Sean Abbott — who averages almost 40 in one-day internationals — to a spot in the side, with Big Bash-winner Nathan Ellis and Adam Zampa rounding out the attack. - Australia will use Matt Short and possibly Travis Head with the ball, but depending on conditions, they could also call on Tanveer Sangha as a second leg-spinner to partner Adam Zampa, particularly with Aaron Hardie ready to take on a hefty enough load with the ball. - Alex Carey played in Wednesday’s loss to Sri Lanka in Colombo, a hint they could play both wicketkeepers. PREDICTED TEAM FOR WORLD TEST CHAMPIONSHIP - Sam Konstas returns to the top of the order, with Travis Head sliding back into the middle after opening in the two Tests against Sri Lanka. Konstas should hold his spot through the West Indies tour, because dropping him before an Ashes where they will need him would be too much of a disruption. - Cam Green could play one or two Sheffield Shield games at the back end of the summer and then is set for a stint with Gloucestershire. He should have enough cricket under his belt by the time this match comes around to return as a specialist batter. I have him coming in for Beau Webster because on early season wickets in England which tend to both seam and spin, Australia should be able to get away without the extra bowling. - Josh Hazlewood gets the first crack if he’s fit by the time this match comes around, but Australia would surely take Scott Boland and Michael Neser. The Queenslander could be a good shout to play given his extraordinary record in England stacks up better than Boland.