England has announced their playing XI for the Champions Trophy opener against Australia, scheduled to take place on February 22 at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The team, led by Jos Buttler, will be looking to produce a better performance after suffering an embarrassing 3-0 defeat to India earlier in the month. The Champions Trophy could be the last chance for Buttler to prove his worth as the leader, given the pressure he has been under after failing to qualify for the ODI World Cup semi-final and T20 World Cup final.
The team management has handed Brendon McCullum, who had a fantastic run as Test coach, the baton in the white-ball format as well. England will miss the service of Ben Stokes, who opted out of the tournament due to a hamstring injury. However, the team has named a well-balanced squad that has the potential to challenge for the title, with ace pacer Jofra Archer completely fit, which is a massive boost for the team. Archer will pair with Mark Wood, and the pair will be key for the team in the tournament. Interestingly, Buttler has dropped himself down the order and will bat at number six, while Jamie Smith has been promoted as the keeper-batter.
The England playing XI includes Phil Salt and Ben Duckett at the top of the order, followed by Jamie Smith, Joe Root, and Harry Brook. Liam Livingstone and Brydon Carse have been handed the responsibility of finishing off things, while Adil Rashid has been named as the lone specialist spinner. On the other hand, Australia's probable playing XI includes Matthew Short, Travis Head, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey, Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Mitchell Johnson, Sean Abbott, and Adam Zampa.
The match between England and Australia is expected to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams having a strong lineup. England's chances of winning will depend on how well they can utilize their batting and bowling resources. The team's ability to adapt to the conditions in Lahore will also be crucial in determining the outcome of the match. With the Champions Trophy being a prestigious tournament, both teams will be looking to make a strong statement and start their campaign on a positive note.
Here is the list of England's playing XI:
- Phil Salt
- Ben Duckett
- Jamie Smith (wk)
- Joe Root
- Harry Brook
- Jos Buttler (c)
- Liam Livingstone
- Brydon Carse
- Jofra Archer
- Adil Rashid
- Mark Wood
The tournament schedule and team rankings will be crucial in determining the outcome of the Champions Trophy, and fans will be eagerly waiting to see how their favorite teams perform.
