AUS vs ENG Champions Trophy 2025: Australia vs England Toss & Playing 11 – Steve Smith Opts to Bowl in Lahore

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AUS vs ENG: Australia skipper Steve Smith won the toss and opted to bowl first against their Ashes rivals England in match 4 of the Champions Trophy 2025, which is taking place at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Saturday (February 22).

Australia, who come into the tournament missing several key players, have picked a lone spinner in Adam Zampa with the new-look pace attack featuring Nathan Ellis, Ben Dwarshius and Spencer Johnson.

England, meanwhile, had not much injury worry heading into the tournament and in fact also announced their playing 11 good 48 hours prior to the fixture with Jamie Smith expected to don the gloves despite the presence of Phil Salt and skipper Jos Buttler, who are also wicketkeepers.

Australia also has named two wicketkeepers in their line up, but in all likelihood Josh Inglis will get the edge over Alex Carey for the stumper's role. Glenn Maxwell and Matt Short will play spin bowling support role as all-rounders. Smith will complete the top four of the batting order with Travis Head, Short and Marnus Labuschagne making up the top three.

For England, Ben Duckett and Salt will open the batting with Jamie Smith expected to bat at number three and Joe Root at four ahead of Harry Brook, Buttler and Liam Livingstone. Brydon Carse, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood and Jofra Archer make up the line up. Here is what the captains said and the playing 11 news:

After winning the toss and opting to bowl first, Australia captain Smith said, "Looks a pretty good surface. There's a bit of dew when we were practising, so we'll like to chase later on."

Smith also named the eleven before talking about the make up of the line up, "(On playing two left-handed pacers) Little bit of swing up top, we'll try to utilise that as much as possible. (Carey) He's been batting really nicely. The two keepers played together in the Test matches, worked out well and both are quality batters. Always exciting, looking forward to getting started today."

Meanwhile, England skipper Buttler, who would have preferred to bat first, said, "We were a bit 50-50 whether the dew comes in or not. Looks a really good surface, look to try and make good first use of it. We are not trying to hide anything, we are very confident.

"We are really excited for the game and guys are in a really good place. Anytime you play Australia in an ICC event, you want to be part of. (On Jamie Smith) Very unflappable, immense talent with a great head on his shoulders. Gives us a chance to have a dynamic top three and some good guys behind him."

Australia vs England Playing 11 for Champions Trophy 2025 Match 4

Australia XI: Matthew Short, Travis Head, Steven Smith (captain), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (wicketkeeper), Alex Carey, Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson.

England XI: Philip Salt, Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (captain), Liam Livingstone, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood.