Steve Smith and Jos Buttler [Source: @ICC/X.com]
The Ashes rivalry is set to be seen in the Champions Trophy stage on February 22 as England and Australia will be clashing against each other in the 4th match of the tournament. The match is scheduled to host at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium and the live action is set to commence at 2:30 PM IST.
Australia and England have had a closely contested battle in their last three ODIs with the Baggy Greens bagging the ODI series 3-2 back in 2024. Australia won the 5th ODI match via the DLS method, while England triumphed in the previous two encounters, including a dominant win in the third ODI. As they prepare to face off in the Champions Trophy, both teams will look to assert their dominance and gain an edge in this fierce rivalry.
ENG vs AUS Predicted Score Today
Predicted First Innings Score: 250-260 runs
Predicted Second Innings Score: 230-220 runs.
Who Will Win Today’s ENG vs AUS Match?
Case 1: If Australia Bat First
The toss-winning captain at Gaddafi would like to bowl first given the fact that it offers only fresh conditions for bowlers to excel. If Australia bats first against England, key contributors could include Travis Head and Jake Fraser-McGurk, who have the ability to provide an explosive start. Steve Smith’s experience and anchor role will be crucial in stabilizing the innings, while Glenn Maxwell’s power-hitting can accelerate the scoring in the middle overs.
Marnus Labuschagne, known for his consistency, can play a pivotal role in building partnerships. Lower down the order, Matthew Short and Aaron Hardie can provide the finishing touches, ensuring Australia posts a strong total against England’s bowling attack.
Case 2: If England Bat First
If England bats first in the Champions Trophy 2025 match against Australia, key batters like Philip Salt and Ben Duckett will be crucial in providing a strong start. Joe Root’s stability in the middle order can anchor the innings, while Harry Brook and Jos Buttler’s aggressive approach will be vital in accelerating the scoring.
Liam Livingstone’s all-round ability adds depth, allowing for late-inning power hitting. On the bowling front, Australia will rely on Adam Zampa and Tanveer Sangha’s spin to contain runs, while pacers Nathan Ellis, Spencer Johnson, and Sean Abbott will look to exploit movements on the pitch and restrict England’s total.
ENG vs AUS Head-to-Head Record In ODIs
Criterion | Data |
---|---|
Matches Played | 161 |
Australia Won | 91 |
England Won | 65 |
Tied | 2 |
No result | 3 |
Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore - Pitch Report
The Gaddafi Stadium pitch in Lahore is a batting-friendly surface with good pace and bounce, offering minimal seam movement for fast bowlers. Spinners might get some turn, but overall, it favours batters. With little assistance from bowlers and no major changes expected in pitch behaviour, the toss-winning team may prefer to bowl first.
Players To Watch Out For In ENG vs AUS
England
- Ben Duckett is a versatile batter and is known for his ability to counter-spin and play aggressive strokes. Duckett scored 131 runs in the recently concluded India series at a strike rate of 122.43 proving his worth with the bat for the upcoming clash.
- Phil Salt is an explosive opener and Salt’s attacking approach which saw his recent scores of 43 off 26 can put early pressure on Australia’s bowlers, setting the tone for a strong start.
- Adil Rashid: England’s lead spinner, Rashid’s variations and experience in white-ball cricket can trouble Australia’s middle order. His recent exploits with figures of 4/64 cements his potential with the ball.
Australia
- Travis Head, known for his aggressive stroke play, Head's recent 57 off 40 balls against Sri Lanka in Tests highlights his ability to score quickly. His attacking approach can disrupt England’s bowlers early on, setting a strong foundation.
- Steve Smith's back-to-back Test centuries (131 & 141) against Sri Lanka, Smith remains Australia’s most reliable batter. His patience and ability to anchor the innings make him a significant threat to England’s bowling attack.
- Marnus Labuschagne's 77 off 44 balls in the BBL showcases his adaptability in all formats. His technique and ability to bat long innings will be crucial against England’s pace and spin attack.