Champions Trophy: Jamie Smith Returns as England Reveals Playing XI for Opener Against Australia
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Synopsis
In a significant move for the Champions Trophy opener against Australia, Jamie Smith will assume the No. 3 batting position for the first time in his ODI career. Joe Root, shifting to No. 4, aims to stabilize England's middle order after recent performance issues during the series in India.
Key Takeaways
- Jamie Smith will bat at No. 3 and keep wicket for England.
- Joe Root has shifted down to No. 4.
- England opts for a batting-heavy lineup due to team balance issues.
- Brydon Carse returns from injury as England's third seamer.
- Australia is missing five senior players for this match.
Lahore, Feb 20 (NationPress) Jamie Smith will bat at No.3 for the first time in his ODI career and will be the wicketkeeper for England in their Champions Trophy opener against Australia at the Gaddafi Stadium here on Saturday. Joe Root, who has been England’s long-standing No. 3, has moved to No. 4 following the final match of their recent 3-0 ODI series defeat in India and will maintain that position. Smith, who has only batted at No. 5 or No. 6 in his seven-match ODI career, is embracing his new role in his inaugural ICC tournament appearance.
England faced challenges with team balance after Jacob Bethell suffered an injury in India, looking one batter short in the second ODI and lacking adequate bowling options in the third. They have chosen a batting-heavy lineup for the Champions Trophy opener, featuring Liam Livingstone at No. 7. Consequently, both Livingstone and Root will share 10 overs between them.
Root has previously played at No. 4 in 56 of his 163 ODI innings, though the majority of those came early in his career. With Smith at No. 3, England's middle-order, comprising Root, Harry Brook, and Jos Buttler, will gain strength after recent collapses observed in India.
Smith participated in only two of England’s eight white-ball matches in India due to a calf injury but has recovered in time to take on Australia. He will keep wickets ahead of Phil Salt, who is set to open alongside Ben Duckett.
Fast bowler Brydon Carse, who was unavailable due to a toe injury during the second and third ODIs in India, has also been cleared to play. He has been selected over Gus Atkinson, Jamie Overton, and Saqib Mahmood, and will bat at No. 8 as England’s third seamer, led by Jofra Archer and Mark Wood.
Australia, on the other hand, will be without five senior players: Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Marsh due to injuries, along with Marcus Stoinis (who has retired from ODIs) and Mitchell Starc (due to personal reasons). The last time these two teams met in ODIs was at the end of the 2024 English summer, where Australia emerged victorious with a 3-2 win.
England's XI against Australia: Phil Salt, Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith (wk), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler, Liam Livingstone, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood.
