When it comes to rivalries in the cricket world, the one between India and Pakistan is the most talked about and hogs the limelight. But the enmity on the cricket field between England and Australia is no less fierce.
So, it will not come as a surprise that the oldest rivalry in the sport will be played out before the India-Pakistan blockbuster when England take on the reigning ODI World Champion Australia in their opening match in the Champions Trophy 2025 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
Though Australia are the top team in 50-overs cricket after beating India in the final to win the 2023 ICC World Cup in Ahmedabad, England will be fancying their chances because the current Australian squad is vastly depleted because of the absence of five first-team players. Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Marsh and Mitchell Starc have pulled out of the team because of injuries while white-ball expert Marcus Stoinis has announced his retirement.
This leaves Australia depending on the likes of Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, and Spencer Johnson. Australia will be hoping for big performances from the likes of Travis Head and Adam Zampa, while key pacer Jofra Archer and skipper Jos Buttler are sure to play a crucial role for England.
They have a very strong batting lineup with Travis Head, the hero of their 2023 World Cup triumph, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, and Glenn Maxwell capable of scoring big and with help from Jake Fraser-McGurk, Josh Inglis and Matthew Short, troubling any team on their day.
Despite the depleted squad, former Australia all-rounder and the Event's Ambassador Shane Watson is confident Australia will do well in the Champions Trophy.
I'm very confident about the Aussies, their battings is very, very strong. Their bowling, there's going to be a few question marks around that. But they certainly know how to be able to turn up in big tournaments. So, don't be surprised if Australia are there and thereabouts.
The stand-out player for me is Glenn Maxwell. 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.
England on the other hand have reached Pakistan after a bruising white-ball series in India in which they lost seven out of the eight matches -- the ODI series 4-1 and the ODI series 3-0.
The Champions Trophy will be a true test of Brendon McCullum's tactical acumen in ODI cricket. It will also be a make-or-break event for Jos Buttler and his captaincy will depend on how they fare in this eight-team tournament in which each team gets to play three matches in the preliminary league and can't afford to lose more than one match.
Buttler said he is not thinking along these lines and would like to concentrate on only those things that they can control.
What people must understand is that people saying you want to win doesn’t guarantee results. You have to find ways to look after the things that you can control; to work out how to be really present at a tournament like the Champions Trophy. Getting close to what we’re capable of is the thing I want most out of us, and if we’re doing that then the results will come as well.
England have included Jamie Smith in their playing XI and will hoping that their batting unit does not depend too much on Joe Root and others including skipper Buttler make handsome contributions to the score.
After Australia, England will play Afghanistan and South Africa, who have already stolen a march over others in the group by beating Afghanistan in their opening match.
With two teams set to advance from this group, there is not a lot of scope for mistakes.
Squads:
Australia: Steve Smith (c), Sean Abbott, Alex Carey, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa. Travelling reserve: Cooper Connolly
England: Jos Buttler (c), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Tom Banton, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Jamie Smith, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Saqib Mahmood, Phil Salt, Mark Wood.
