Strong candidates entering the 2025 Champions Trophy include Australia and England, winners of the past two ICC ODI championships. Neither side, though, had momentum entering the competition. Australia’s confidence was severely damaged by recent consecutive losses in Sri Lanka. Their campaign is much more difficult as they are lacking important players.
Australia failed to exceed 200 runs in any of four consecutive ODIs it lost. Although Steve Smith, Travis Head, Glenn Maxwell, and Marnus Labuschagne are seasoned players in their batting lineup, their bowling attack still causes questions. Australia will participate in an ICC event without their top pace trio—mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood—firstly since the 2016 T20 World Cup. They failed to get a single victory in the past two editions even though they had won this competition twice.
England is not suffering with injuries unlike Australia, but their form still calls for doubt. They are keen for atonement following a poor championship defence in the 2023 ODI World Cup. Following their recent difficulties in India, the squad will want to recover on batting-friendly grounds in Pakistan. England also has a historic chance to be the only team beside Australia and India to have claimed all three major ICC white-ball titles. Given the tournament’s tight schedule, a loss here may greatly lower their prospects of progressing.
Australia vs England Match Specifics
Dates: February 22, 2025
Time: 2.30 PM IST.
Location: Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore
Weather: Warm; a high-scoring pitch is forecast.
Team News and likely playing XIs Australia
The bowling assault of Australia will take front stage. The most seasoned bowler on the team, Adam Zampa will be essential in guiding the group.
Likely XI:
- · Matthew Short
- · Travis Head
- · Steve Smith (C)
- · Marnus Labuschagne
- · Josh Inglis
- · Glenn Maxwell
- · Alex Carey (WK)
- · Aaron Hardie
- · Sean Abbott
- · Nathan Ellis
- · Adam Zampa
England?
With skipper Jos Buttler describing Jamie Smith’s elevation to No. 3 as a “free hit,” England is likely to remain aggressive. Additionally giving the middle order stability will be Joe Root moving to No. 4.
Presumably XI:
- · Philip Salt
- · Ben Duckett
- · Jamie Smith (WK)
- · Joe Root
- · Harry Brook
- · Jos Buttler (C)
- · Liam Livingstone
- · Brydon Carse
- · Jofra Archer
- · Adil Rashid
- · Mark Wood
What Others Said
“He’s clearly got the game technically and strategically, but I believe one of his strongest suit is head on his shoulders. Nothing appears to particularly bother him too much. It wouldn’t effect him if you asked him to bat wherever in the line-up.” Jos Buttler regarding Jamie Smith’s elevation
Matthew Short, Travis Head, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Steven Smith (C), Josh Inglis (WK), Aaron Hardie, Glenn Maxwell, Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Adam Zampa, Tanveer Sangha, Nathan Ellis, Spencer Johnson, Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey. Australia Squad.
England Squad: Phil Salt, Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith (WK), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (C), Liam Livingstone, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood, Jamie Overton, Saqib Mahmood, Tom Banton, Gus Atkinson source cricbuzz
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