England gets underway in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan as they face Australia in Lahore.
Brendon McCullum’s side has made two key decisions, the return of Joe Root and Jamie Smith as wicketkeeper.
“We feel it’s a nice position for him (Smith) to give him a free hit”
Jos Butler’s words on his decision to place Smith in the middle-order
With Smith returning from injury this will be a test for the young keeper.
At the other end of the experience spectrum is Joe Root.
A man who needs no introduction to England ticket fans is Joe Root as the record-holding test run scorer.
Root returned to the squad for the first time since 2023 for England’s disappointing tour of India earlier this month.
Joe struggled through the ODI series with the highlight being 69 runs in the second game en route to India’s whitewash win.
England play Australia at nine a.m. on Saturday at the Gadaffi Stadium in Lahore, Pakistan.
