Joe Root has been England’s first choice number 3 for the best part of a decade, but fell to number 4 in the final match of his recent ODI series in India – which they lost 3–0 – and will maintain that role . Against Australia. Smith has batted only at number 5 or 6 in his seven -match ODI career, but will be thrown into a new role in its first match at the ICC event.
England struggled to balance their side after Jacob Bethel’s injury in India, short on a batsman’s light in the second ODI and a short on bowling in the third. He has maintained his batting-rich balance for the start of the Champions Trophy, a card has been done on Liam Livingstone No. 7, which means that Livingstone and Root will have to share 10 overs between them.
Root batted at number 4 in 56 of his 163 Odis innings, but the vast majority were in the early years of his international career. The decision to bat at No. 3 means that England’s engine route of route, Harry Brook and Jose Butler increased their middle order after a series of collapse in India, number 4 instead of number 3-5- Will bat from 6.
Smith played two of England’s eight matches on his white-ball tour in India after maintaining only one calf injury, which excluded him from the end of the T20I series and the three Odis. But he is declared fit to face Australia, and he will take gloves ahead of Phil Salat – which will open with Ben Docket – and Butler.
Bridan cars have also been fitted after a leg injury, as they were excluded from the second and third India region, and have been taken beyond Gas Atkinson, Jamie Overton and Saqib Mahmud. He will bat at number 8 and is England’s third seamar, to share new balls with Jofra Archer and Mark Wood Set.
Australia’s Champions Trophy squad has been abolished by late withdrawal of five senior players: Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Michelle Marsh (all injured), Plus Marcus Stoinis (retired from Odice) and Mitchell Starc (personal reasons). The two sides last met in the format at the end of 2024 English summer, Australia won the series 3–2.
England XI vs. Australia: 1 Phil Salat, 2 Ben Docket, 3 Jamie Smith (WK), 4 Joe Root, 5 Harry Brook, 6 Jose Butler, 7 Liam Livingstone, 8 Bridan Cars, 9 Joffra Archer, 10 Adil Rashid, 11 Mark Wood.
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