Champions Trophy 2025: England announce XI for clash against Australia, Jamie Smith named as wicketkeeper

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) recently announced the playing XI for England, who will be facing Australia in their Champions Trophy 2025 opening game. Notably, the match will be played at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday, February 22.

In a significant boost for Jamie Smith, he was shortlisted to bat at No. 3, in addition to assuming responsibility with the gloves. The much-anticipated clash against the Men in Yellow will be the first time in his seven-match ODI career that the 24-year-old will bat at the top order. Smith was sidelined after the first couple of T20Is in the recently-concluded eight-ball white-ball series against India, owing to a left calf injury.   

The opening duo of Phil Salt and Ben Duckett will be expected to get England off to quick starts in the powerplay, something they did during the three-match ODI series quite well. With Smith's promotion, the likes of Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler, and Liam Livingstone have pushed a position down the order.

Check out England Cricket's latest post here:

We've named our XI for the first game against Australia 👇

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) February 20, 2025

Brydon Carse returns⁠ to join England's pace trio

As an additional lift, Brydon Carse was passed fit following a toe injury. The fast-bowling all-rounder missed the final couple of ODIs against India. He will be joining Jofra Archer and Mark Wood as part of the pace-bowling unit.

Also Read: Tom Banton determined to grasp opportunity after late Champions Trophy call-up

As the frontline spinner, Adil Rashid will be expected to shoulder the burden alongside the part-time spin of Livingstone and Root. Rashid was arguably the most impressive bowler when considering the entirety of the limited-overs series against India.

England's XI against Australia:

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