Key posts
The Champions Trophy in a nutshell
Australia will bowl first
Steve Smith and Jos Buttler have tossed the coin.
Smith won it and will bowl.
“It looks a good surface and there is a bit of dew that comes in tonight so we’ll look to chase,” Smith said.
Buttler said his side would have batted.
“We were a bit 50-50 about it,” Buttler said.
The Champions Trophy in a nutshell
Can Australia rebound in time to win the Champions Trophy?
By Jon Pierik
Australia’s national selectors have taken important steps towards refreshing and adding depth to the Test squad this summer, while maintaining a winning on-field record.
Comprehensive series wins over India and Sri Lanka have made it tough to criticise selection chairman George Bailey and his team, but attention now turns to the white-ball team, and whether enough is being done to prepare this team for its one-day international World Cup title defence in Africa in 2027.
Much to ponder: Australian captain Steve Smith has selection issues to address ahead of the Champion Trophy opener against England on Saturday.Credit: Getty Images
The conveyor belt that is international cricket means there is little time to rest, for the return of the Champions Trophy after an eight-year hiatus awaits. Australia open their campaign against England on Saturday night at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, but this is a far different team than the one that stormed to victory in the World Cup final in India in 2023.
Good evening
G’day everyone and welcome to our champions trophy live blog as Australia takes on England in Pakistan.
My name is Roy Ward and I’ll be with you for the length of this match which is due to start at 8pm AEDT and end in the early hours of Sunday morning.
If you are looking for it on your TV, it is only available on Amazon Prime in the sports part of their service.
We will have all the major moments and talking points. Enjoy the night to come.
