The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to witness a high-intensity clash between arch-rivals Australia and England in their Group B encounter at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Historically, Australia enjoys an edge over England in ODIs. Out of 160 matches played between the two nations, Australia has emerged victorious in 90 encounters, while England has won 65 matches. Moreover, with the recent epic form of the South African team, both of the competing teams will need to put in their maximum efforts to secure a spot in the top two positions of Group B. This fourth match promises to be a thrilling contest as both teams aim to kickstart their campaigns on a positive note.
Live Streaming Info
Fans can watch the Aus vs Eng live on Star Sports Network in India, Ten Sports in Pakistan, Sky Sports in England, and Fox Sports in Australia. The match is scheduled to begin at 2:00 pm PST, 2:30 pm IST, and 9:00 am GMT.
Team Analysis
In the batting department, Australia boasts several strengths in the form of experienced players such as Steve Smith, Travis Head, and Glenn Maxwell. Travis Head, in particular, has been in exceptional form, recently scoring an unbeaten 154 runs from 129 balls against England, leading Australia to a successful chase of a 315-run target in just 44 overs. Moreover, Josh Inglis and Matt Short add depth to the middle order, and together this combination of well-seasoned players can yield a hefty target on the scoreboard.
Let’s shed light upon the most obvious deficiency in the Aussie team — their weak pace unit. The absence of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc in this 2025 Champions Trophy is a major setback for Australia, weakening their world-class pace attack. Their experience in pressure situations and ability to dominate with the new and old ball will be hard to replace. Australia will need to rely on younger pacers, who might lack big-tournament experience, potentially affecting their chances. The team’s balance and bowling depth will be tested, making their title hopes more challenging. However, this situation also presents an opportunity for emerging talents like Ben Dwarshuis, Sean Abbott, Aaron Hardie, Nathan Ellis, and Spencer Johnson to step up on the international stage.
The British side, led by captain ‘Jos Buttler’, has been struggling with inconsistent performances in recent ODIs. The team has undergone a batting order reshuffle due to injuries and underperformance. Jamie Smith has been promoted to the No. 3 position, aiming to capitalize on the powerplay overs and inject momentum at the top. This strategic move comes in response to the struggles of key players like Joe Root, Harry Brook, and Buttler himself in their usual positions.
Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, and Gus Atkinson form a lethal pace battery, which is a prime strength for England in this Champions Trophy. Archer’s ability to deliver in crunch moments, Wood’s relentless aggression, and Atkinson’s sharp bounce make them a nightmare for batters. Their versatility across different phases of the game strengthens England’s attack. With this trio firing, England has a strong chance of dominating opponents with sheer pace and hostility by taking early wickets and keeping the economy to a minimum.
Conclusion
The Gaddafi Stadium pitch in Lahore is traditionally known for being batting-friendly, offering consistent bounce and pace. Batters from both sides are likely to enjoy the conditions, making it conducive to high-scoring encounters. This match between Australia and England is poised to be a captivating battle, with several key impact players, namely Mark Wood, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, and Jofra Archer. If you want to watch Aus vs Eng live, scroll above and click on the link provided.