England’s Playing XI vs Australia Confirmed – Selection SHOCKER as Jamie Smith Returns

England have announced their playing XI for their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opener against Australia National Cricket Team. The match between the two arch-rivals will take place on Saturday (22nd February) at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

England National Cricket Team, who announced their XI two days ahead of the game, will mostly stick with the same opening combination that they had in the India series. Phil Salt and Ben Duckett will be at the top and would be hoping to carry on the same form that they had in the last series.

Jamie Smith will be batting at No.3 for England and will be keeping wickets against Australia

Jamie Smith, who missed the last few games, is back in the team and has been slotted to bat at No.3 in the clash against Australia. The right-hander will be keeping wickets as well, as mentioned by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) in an official statement, stating: "Jamie Smith returns to the side, batting at No.3 and taking the gloves as wicketkeeper".

Joe Root, who returned to the ODI setup after a year in the India series, will be taking the No.4 spot in the match. He looked in decent touch during the India ODIs and will be keen to carry on the same touch during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 as well.

Harry Brook and skipper Jos Buttler will be taking the No.5 and No.6 spot in the England XI for their first game. While all-rounder Liam Livingstone will be batting at No.7. The trio will be holding a key for Three Lions in the entire tournament.

Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, and Mark Wood are the three pacers picked by the England National Cricket Team in their playing XI for the Australia clash. While Adil Rashid makes it as only srontline spinner in the team.

England playing XI for Australia clash in ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Announced

Here's the England XI for the Australia match:

Phil Salt, ⁠Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith (WK), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (C), ⁠Liam Livingstone, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood

England didn't have a great outing in the series against India ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

England didn't have a great outing in the series against India ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The Jos Buttler-led side faced a 3-0 whitewash and their batting was one of the major reasons behind their loss in the series.

England would be low on confidence going into the game against Australia. But with the kind of performances they have put in the ICC events, one cannot write him off. Australia, on the other hand too, would be under pressure, especially with big players already being out.

Australia will be captained by Steve Smith in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, but they will be without the services of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Marsh and Marcus Stoinis in the tournament.

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