LAHORE, Pakistan: England’s opening batter Ben Duckett registered his third ODI century in a crucial ICC Champions Trophy 2025 clash against Australia at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on Saturday.
Duckett reached his hundred off 97 balls, leading England to a commanding position. Joe Root, who had provided steady support, departed after scoring a well-crafted 68, having put on a 158-run partnership with Duckett for the third wicket. Soon, Harry Brook also departed for just 3 runs leaving England at 219/4.
As of the latest update, England stand at 219 for two in 34 overs, with Jos Buttler joining Duckett at the crease. England’s run rate of 6.55 puts them in a comfortable position to build an imposing total.
This was supposed to be the best-attended non-Pakistan game of the tournament, but it has not quite reached that level yet. The crowd has been slowly filtering in over the last few hours for the first Champions Trophy match at the newly rebuilt Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
It is really hot this afternoon, and since there was not enough time before the tournament to cover the stands, the sun is beating down on the seats with little shade available, according to Cricinfo.
That is probably keeping some people away for now, but it cools down in the evenings during February, so expect the crowd to keep growing throughout the innings and eventually reach the sell-out status it was promised to have.
As for the cricket, it has not been great so far. Australia’s bowlers have been a bit wayward, and England have been generous.
Two soft dismissals have brought Joe Root to the crease during the Powerplay, which was something England wanted to avoid. The best moment of the match so far was a brilliant one-handed catch from Carey.
Australia bowl first
Earlier, Australia have won the toss and elected to field at the picturesque Qaddafi Stadium Lahore in ICC Champions Trophy fourth match here on Saturday.
Australia and England have a tight head-to-head record in the Champions Trophy, with England ahead just by a 3-2 margin.
England, the 2019 World Cup winners made three changes from the one that featured in the third ODI against India earlier this month.
Wicketkeeper batter Jamie Smith, who last played an ODI in September 2023 will don the gloves on his return to the team. Smith will bat at number three, joining Phil Salt and Ben Duckett in the top order.
Their middle order is comprised of skipper Jos Buttler, veteran Joe Root, Harry Brook and Liam Livingstone. Right-arm pacer Jofra Archer also made his return to the lineup and will be accompanied by fellow seamers Mark Wood and Brydon Carse.
England spin attack
In the spin attack, England persisted with experienced Adil Rashid, who will be supported by part-timers Livingstone and Root.
England, led by Jos Buttler, are out to prove a point after their crushing 3-0 ODI series defeat to India. But having fully fit Jofra Archer and Mark Wood, their pace attack suddenly looks more menacing. The ever-reliable Joe Root brings experience, while Harry Brook and Liam Livingstone inject raw power into the batting. Ben Duckett and Phil Salt make up a destructive opening pair while the talented Jamie Smith will look to make his mark as well. Spin wizard Adil Rashid will be key in containing Australia’s firepower, but the onus is on Buttler to lead from the front and turn England’s white-ball fortunes around.
Australia’s inexperienced attack
Meanwhile, Australia enters the tournament with their own share of struggles. Regular skipper Pat Cummins, along with Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Marsh, is sidelined, leaving the Aussies with an inexperienced bowling attack. But under Steve Smith’s captaincy, they remain a dangerous unit. With Marnus Labuschagne and Alex Carey anchoring the batting and Travis Head and Glenn Maxwell ready to unleash fireworks, they won’t go down without a fight. Spencer Johnson steps into the big shoes of Starc, while Adam Zampa and Tanveer Sangha will have to spin their magic on a pitch expected to favor batters. The Gaddafi Stadium promises runs, but under the lights, the pacers could still play a decisive role. Both teams know that a win here isn’t just about two points – it’s about momentum, confidence, and striking an early psychological blow in a tournament where there’s little room for slip-ups.
With pride, history, and a potential semi-final spot at stake, expect nothing less than an electrifying contest between two giants of the game.
Stats and trivia
Australia and England have a tight head-to-head record in the Champions Trophy, with England ahead just by a 3-2 margin.
Maxwell and Buttler are the only members available from the two teams’ squads from the 2013 edition of the tournament.
Archer is two wickets away from 50 in the ODIs.
Jamie Smith has only previously batted at No. 3 once in 18 List A innings – for Surrey against Kent in 2019.
Pitch and conditions
ODI pitches at the Gaddafi Stadium are almost always flat belters. Lahore is expected to be slightly cooler, partly because of rain this week, which ended up hampering England’s preparations. Dew is very rarely a factor at this time of year.
Australia: 1 Travis Head, 2 Matthew Short, 3 Steven Smith (capt), 4 Josh Inglis (wk), 5 Marnus Labuschagne, 6 Alex Carey, 7 Glenn Maxwell, 8 Sean Abbott/Ben Dwarshius, 9 Nathan Ellis, 10 Adam Zampa, 11 Spencer Johnson
England: 1 Phil Salt, 2 Ben Duckett, 3 Jamie Smith (wk), 4 Joe Root, 5 Harry Brook, 6 Jos Buttler, 7 Liam Livingstone, 8 Brydon Carse, 9 Jofra Archer, 10 Adil Rashid, 11 Mark Wood
