England's challenge to overcome the Australian hurdle
| Date | February 22, 2025 |
| Time | 2:30 PM IST |
| Venue | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| Format | ODI |
| Series | ICC Champions Trophy, 2025 |
Betting Odds
Our Predictions
- Travis Head has odds of 3.20 to be Australia's best batsman
- Joe Root has odds of 3.65 to be England's best batsman
- Adam Zampa has odds of 2.90 to be Australia's best bowler
- Jofra Archer has odds of 3.00 to be England's best bowler
MATCH PREVIEW
It will be an interesting contest in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. ICC World Cup winners Australia will begin their campaign as they take on England in the 4th game. The Australians, who suffered an uncharacteristic series loss in Sri Lanka earlier this month, will look for a strong comeback. They are a champion team with players who have done well on the big stage. The side will look to play to its strengths in this game and start the tournament with a big win. England suffered a meltdown during their recent tour of India, and the side is low on confidence and odds. They will look to execute their plans to perfection and win this game. It is the first game for both teams, and we expect a close contest.
Australia Preview
Steven Smith will lead the team in this tournament as Pat Cummins is missing in action due to injury. The team suffered a big blow on the eve of the tournament with Mitchell Starc pulling out. Nevertheless, the Aussies are a power-packed team and favorites on cricket betting sites. They enjoy a good record against England and Smith would expect his side to play like champions in this game.
Mattew Short and Travis Head struggled with the bat against Sri Lanka, and the team expects them to deliver a good start in this contest. The middle order is strong, and Smith would like to lead from the front and add runs with Josh Inglis and Marnus Labuschagne. Alex Carey, Glenn Maxwell, and Aaron Hardie add firepower to the batting with their hitting abilities.
The bowling attack has lost some of its sheen with the absence of Cummins and Starc. The team expects early strikes from Spencer Johnson and Nathan Ellis to put the English side under pressure. Adam Zampa will enjoy bowling in these conditions and look to do well in the middle overs with Aaron Hardie. Maxwell, Labuschagne, and Matthew Short add bowling options for the team.
Expected Starting XI for Australia
Steven Smith (c), Travis Head, Matthew Short, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Aaron Hardie, Nathan Ellis, Spencer Johnson, Adam Zampa
England Preview
Jos Buttler and his men will be under pressure heading into their first game. The team faced much criticism from its fans after their recent ODI series in India, where they did not open their account. The bowling attack has struggled in these conditions, and the side will start behind on cricket betting apps. They don't have a great record against the Aussies, and Buttler would like his players to play out of their skins to win this game.
The team expects a good start from Phillip Salt and Ben Duckett, as both are good hitters and take on the Australian bowling attack. Joe Root has been in good form and will look to build partnerships in the middle order with Jos Buttler and Harry Brook. The team has depth in the batting and expects a good show from Liam Livingstone and Jamie Overton in the final overs of the innings.
There has been a crisis in their bowling attack in recent games. The team expects early strikes in the game from Jofra Archer and Mark Wood since the Aussies have a strong batting lineup. Adil Rashid is the key bowler for the team in these conditions and must do well in the middle overs with Gus Atkinson. Jamie Overton, Liam Livingstone, and Joe Root will look to deliver the goods in the supporting role.
Expected Starting XI for England
Jos Buttler (c), Philip Salt (wk), Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood, Jofra Archer
TOSS: To Bat First
The track at Lahore is excellent for batting early in the game, and the ball turns sharply in the second innings, making run chases difficult. The side winning the toss would look to take advantage of the conditions by batting first in this game.
PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS
We expect clear skies over Lahore on February 22. The wicket will be good to bat on, but batsmen must be cautious about the odd ball that may hold on to the surface. There won't be much for the fast bowlers on this wicket, but spinners will be able to turn the ball sharply. The side batting first would like to have 320 runs on the board.
OUR PREDICTION
The English side has lost the four ODI games it has played. On most occasions, it has been the bowling attack that has let the team down. The bowling conditions will be tough, and the team must bowl well in this game to have a chance. The Australians have depth in the batting and good hitters. Based on the two teams' strengths and records, the Australians will start slightly ahead in this game.
Our prediction is for Australia to win
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