Cricket

AUS Vs ENG, Champions Trophy: England Name XI For Blockbuster Australia Clash - Check Who's In, Who's Out

Archer joins Brydon Carse and Mark Wood in England's pace attack for their first Group B fixture in Lahore, Pakistan

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Jofra Archer pictured during a nets session in Pakistan
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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.

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.

England XI to face Australia: Phil Salt, Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith (wk), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (c), Liam Livingstone, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood.

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