While India Pakistan are top favorites for global tournament held in Asia, Australia having outstanding track records of winning laurels in all formats of the game can not be ruled out. Formidable Aussies can match the best of the best at any format anywhere in the world.

At the same time England in white ball cricket has also proved competitive in recent time playing their Bazball brand of aggressive cricket. We will discuss the prospect of Australia and England here in the ensuing Champions Trophy. They are placed in a strong group featuring South Africa and Afghanistan. None of the matches will be free bees None of the opponents can be taken for granted. Teams must execute their plans clinically to qualify for the business round and move from there.

Squads: 
Australia: Pat Cummins (c), Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa

England:  Jos Buttler (c), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Jamie Smith, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Saqib Mahmood, Phil Salt, Mark Wood

Prospects of Australia 
Australia is the reigning champion of Test and ODI. Champions trophy is the only trophy they have not won yet. The squad appears balanced with some experienced professionals and some upcoming talents. There are no genuine openers in the team though there are many flamboyant stroke makers at the top and the middle order. Allrounders Matt Short and Aaron Hardie earned maiden national call ups for an ICC event. Jake Fraser-McGurk following lean returns this summer could not find a place. Pat Cummins, not 100% match fit now, is believed to be OK in time to play and lead the team. Nathan Elis earned a spot for his great form in KFC big bash. He along with Short and Hardie are the three changes from the squad that won the ICC world Cup. David Warner (retired), Cameroon Green (injured) and Sean Abott are replaced. 

The team has several all-rounders in Short, Hardie, Marsh, Maxwell and Stoinis. A little concern is batting. On pacey, bouncy Australian wickets some batsmen like Marsh and Labuchagne struggled against Jasprit Bumrah in the Border Gavaskar trophy. But white ball cricket in Pakistan and UAE will be different and Australia has several white ball experts and have experience in the subcontinent. Some players will also feature in Test series and ODI against Sri Lanka. Starc, Hazelwood and Cummins can adjust in any surface. Short, Hardie, Stoinis can assist Zampa. Australia will be a major contender for the trophy. But they need to get through to the business round weathering challenges of England, South Africa and Afghanistan. 

Well Prepared England May prove hard nut to crack. The English team in all formats execute their bazball style. It often fires but sometimes fails. Several batsmen including Josh Buttler, Bethell, Brook, Duckett, Livingston can blast. Root can provide a calming effect.  If England is not bamboozled by the spin wizards of Afghanistan and strangled by balanced bowling attack of Australia and South Africa the batsmen can score big or chase targets. We are not sure the Raw pace of Wood, Archer, Atkinson would be of much use. Adil Rashid and Laim Livingstone may be required to contribute. 

Australia and England have more than even chance of moving through from the very strong group. If they do, one of them may feature in the final. Cricket is a funny game. All the teams are competent and have match winners. The team that plays consistently well and maintains composure will go all the way. 

BDST: 0913 HRS, JAN 22, 2025
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