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2023 ODI World Cup champions, Australia will kickoff their Champions Trophy 2025 campaign on Saturday, February 22 when they take on England at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Although the side will be missing the likes of their experience pace bowling attack in Pat Cummins, Josh Hazleood, Mitchell Starc and others, Steve Smith wants his team to go from the very first game.
Speaking on the eve of his side’s tournament opener against England, Smith said that his team will be eyeing to switch on from the first game itself, while comparing their performance with the ODI World Cup 2023 edition where they initially lost a few games and then got back to winning ways.
Champions Trophies are a lot different: Steve Smith ahead of CT 2025 opener
“I think it's irrelevant really, it's another event. As I sort of alluded to before, you've got to be focused from that first game. I think in our last World Cup we were a bit slow to get started, we were really under the pump and then we brought our best cricket towards the back end of the tournament which I think is what you need in World Cups. Champions Trophies are a lot different,” Steve Smith said in the pre-match press conference.
“Obviously the eight best sides at the moment are here. You can't be slow to get started. You've got to get right into your work from the outset. So yeah, that's our message to the group and the guys are excited about getting started tomorrow night against England out here,” he added.
It is to be noted that Australia haven’t won a single game since the 2009 edition of the Champions Trophy. They are also coming into the tournament after losing back-to-back series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka. To add more worries, Australia will be without their key players in Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc. They will also be missing the services of all-rounder Mitchell Starc, along with Marcus Stoinis, who announced retirement from the 50-over format just days ahead of the tournament.
Australia squad for ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025
Steve Smith (capt), Sean Abbott, Alex Carey, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa
Travelling reserve: Cooper Connolly
