Jofra Archer pictured during a nets session in Pakistan Jofra Archer pictured during a nets session in Pakistan England have named Jofra Archer in their XI for Saturday's Champions Trophy opener versus Australia, while the fit-again Jamie Smith will keep wicket and bat at number three. (Full Coverage | More Cricket News)
Archer joins Brydon Carse and Mark Wood in England's pace attack for their first Group B fixture in Lahore, Pakistan.
The former duo are making returns after minor injuries caused them to miss the final match of England's 3-0 ODI series loss to India last week.
Smith, meanwhile, missed all three matches in that series – as well as the final two T20Is in a 4-1 series defeat on the same tour – with a calf injury.
Ji-Hyun Yan scored the only South Korean goal that came in the 30th minute of the clash.
However, the 24-year-old will bat third against England's old rivals, having never previously batted higher than number five in his previous seven ODIs.
Smith's highest score in the 50-over format came against Australia at Headingley last September, when he hit 49 in a 68-run defeat for England.
After facing Australia, Brendon McCullum's team will take on Afghanistan next Wednesday and conclude their group-stage campaign against South Africa on March 1.
The top two teams in each of the two groups advance to the semi-finals, with New Zealand and India in the driving seat in Group A after winning their opening matches.
We've named our XI for the first game against Australia
slot live22— England Cricket (@englandcricket) February 20, 2025England XI to face Australia: Phil Saltfc188,ph444 games Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith (wk), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (c), Liam Livingstone, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood.
