The England cricket team has announced its playing XI for its first match of the Champions Trophy 2025. The match will be played against Australia at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on 22 February. Jamie Smith has returned to the team and will take over wicketkeeping duties in place of Phil Salt. Smith did wicketkeeping during the limited-overs tour of India.
Smith did not play in the ODI series in India due to an injury sustained during the T20 series. However, he has been declared fit and will also bat at number three in the first match of the tournament. Smith, who made his ODI debut only in September 2023, has played only seven matches in this format and scored 133 runs, with his best score being 49.
Will bat at number three
Jamie Smith scored this score against Australia in Leeds last year. However, he has not yet batted at number three and has done so only at number five and six. 24-year-old Jamie Smith will bat at number three against Australia, while Joe Root will bat at number four.
The former England Test captain batted at number three in the ODI series against India but did not get much success. He played the best innings of 69 runs in the second ODI in Cuttack. Let us tell you that last year the England team lost the five-match ODI series 3-2 at home against Australia.
Australia is troubled by the injury of the players.
After winning the series 3-0 in India, their confidence must have also wavered. Australia's form has also not been good as they have lost consecutive ODI series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
On the other hand, talking about Australia is also struggling with the problem of injuries, due to which Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Marsh are out. Mitchell Starc also pulled out of the tournament at the last moment due to personal reasons. With limited chances of a comeback in the Champions Trophy, both teams will try to start with a win.
England's playing XI- Phil Salt, Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler, Liam Livingstone, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood.
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