Smith Confident as Australia Faces England Without Key Pacers in Champions Trophy Opener

Steve Smith, Australia's stand-in captain, has expressed confidence in his team's ability to perform against England in their Champions Trophy opener, despite missing their leading fast bowlers. The trio of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc are absent due to injuries and personal reasons, marking the first time in 14 years that none of these key players will feature in a major white-ball tournament.

"It's a little bit different," Smith admitted. "I've played for over a decade with these guys. While we'll miss their firepower, we're focused on the players we have here and the opportunities ahead for them." The trio boasts a combined total of 525 wickets in one-day internationals and has been instrumental in Australia's recent global successes, including World Cup victories in 2015 and 2023.

In their absence, Australia's bowling attack will be spearheaded by Nathan Ellis, a 30-year-old seamer, supported by Spencer Johnson, Sean Abbott, and Ben Dwarshuis, who have been added to the squad. "We have a strong group of players ready to step up," Smith added.

England's captain, Jos Buttler, acknowledged the significance of Australia's absentees but expects a challenging match. "These three have been pillars of success for Australia. Their absence is notable, but Australia still has top-quality players who can perform," he said.

Both teams enter the tournament with mixed form, having struggled in recent ODI series. However, Smith emphasized the importance of starting strong in this format. "It's a fresh start. We need to be switched on from the first game to secure that initial win and build momentum," he stated.

The Champions Trophy format leaves little room for error, with only the top two teams from each group advancing to the semi-finals. Australia's recent history of bouncing back after slow starts, as seen in the 2023 World Cup, will be tested in this high-stakes tournament.