On August 29, 2013, the cricket world witnessed a jaw-dropping batting performance from Aaron Finch. In Southampton, the Australian opener scored a thunderous 156 runs against only 63 deliveries—still the highest individual score in T20 Internationals.

With the help of Aaron's explosive innings, Australia, batting first, registered 248—at the time, the second-highest total in T20Is. He thrashed 11 boundaries and a staggering number of 14 over boundaries. Finch went off the mark with a six, and later on in the match he touched every record in the same way. In the England bowling line-up with Stuart Broad, Steven Finn, and Jade Dernbach, they found no reply against the batting exhibition.

During the innings, Finch played some outrageous shots, which took the standards of Twenty20 cricket to the next level. After Aaron Finch, Shane Watson was the second-highest scorer for Australia with 37. Literally, the match turned into a one-man show. England started to lose wickets while chasing the gigantic target. Their middle-order batters started to fight back in a proper way.

Read More: India wicketkeeper for Asia Cup 2025 misses Duleep Trophy match against NorthEast Zone

Joe Root went berserk 

Joe Root went out of the box to score an unbeaten 90 off 49. Ravi Bopara scored a quick-fire 45. Those individuals are not enough to match the required run rate. Mitchell Johnson, Josh Hazlewood were expensive but managed to claim a brace each. England got 209 runs in exchange for 6 wickets; Australia won the match by 39 runs. 

"It's good to come here from Australia 'A' side and play some good cricket. It was one of those days, not easy for the quicks, no spin, so I managed to get it away," Aaron Finch said after the match. Then the captain of Australia, George Bailey, compared Finch's innings with Chris Gayle's batting in the Indian Premier League (IPL). "I think the only innings I've seen like (Finch's) was Chris Gayle in the IPL."

Still a few months to go, but already the hype has started to rise around the upcoming Ashes series, where two arch rivals, Australia and England, will face each other. Due to their recent past performances in Test cricket, Australia is considered the favorite to win the series.

But Josh Hazlewood has different thoughts. He is expecting a tough challenge from the England cricket team, as they have multiple exciting talents. The Australia pacer recently said that players like Harry Brook or Joe Root can make a difference between two teams. Hazlewood heavily applauded Brook, who was in fine touch against India during the Anderson-Tendulkar trophy.

"England has obviously had quite flat wickets recently, the last few years, and it's been a really dry summer as well, so they are probably starting to get tired and spin now... I think Harry Brook will adapt. He's a good player. He's at the top of the rankings for a reason, and he'll be a tough challenge," Hazlewood said. 

Read More: England pacer Mark Wood targets County Championship for comeback ahead of the Ashes 2025

A test for Harry Brook as well

Brook made his Test debut for England in 2022; since then, he has played 30 matches in the Whites. During this period, the middle-order batter faced Australia in the format in 2023. It was the home series for England, and Brook played all five matches in a promising way. But he never faced Australia in Tests on an away series. The upcoming Ashes can be Brook's career's first Test assignment on the land of Kangaroos. 

England's best batting line-up in a while to tour Australia?

Read more: https://t.co/VHXk2P2sGT pic.twitter.com/cvrjVInTY7

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) August 28, 2025

"I think a fresh face like Harry Brook might find it easier. There's no baggage behind him, and he can just come out and play with freedom as he does. Joe's probably in the form of his life as well. So they're an unbelievable batting line, to be honest. The top seven have done really well...so it's a challenge," Hazlewood added. 

The latest ODI World Cup winners Australia have shown their true caliber without prime bowlers as they stunned England in their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opener, which produced a high-scoring multiple record-breaking match at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. 

Australian captain Steven Smith chose to field first after winning the toss as they expected dew in the second innings. It proved to be true as England scored the record-breaking total in tournament history with 351/8, and Australia comfortably chased down the target in 47.3 overs after losing five wickets to set a new highest total record (356/5) in ICC Champions Trophy history.  

See Also: IML 2025: Binny & Yusuf Pathan Lead India Masters to score 223-Run Target for Sri Lanka Master

Ben Duckett recorded highest score in ICC Champions Trophy

Opener Ben Duckett had an important role in England's innings to set a record target for Australia. Although Duckett was busy scoring quickly in the powerplay, his opening partner Phil Salt (10) fell early. England's testing with Jamie Smith (15) didn't work well, as the youngster only faced 13 balls.

Duckett and Joe Root built the English innings and guided the team to a big total. They had a 158-run partnership for the third wicket. While Duckett scored 50 runs off 49 balls, Root completed his half-century in 56 balls. Adam Zampa broke that partnership after dismissing Root for 68 off 78 balls (four fours).

While Harry Brook (3) fell early, captain Jos Buttler (23) and Liam Livingstone (14) couldn't add big runs. However, Duckett had a valuable 61-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Buttler, where the opener dominated. Duckett completed his third ODI century in 95 balls. Later, the opener added more power to record the highest individual score in tournament history by becoming the first player to score 150 runs in the ICC Champions Trophy. He completed 150 runs in 134 balls and scored 165 off 143 balls with 17 fours and three sixes before Marnus Labuschagne dismissed him in the 48th over. 

Jofra Archer scored 21 not out off just 10 balls to ensure a record total in the ICC Champions Trophy as England became the first team to score 350+ runs in the ICC Champions Trophy.

Among the Aussie bowlers, Ben Dwarshuis took three wickets (3/66), while Adam Zampa (2/64) and Marnus Labuschagne (2/41) got two wickets each. 

Josh Inglis recorded joint-fastest century in ICC Champions Trophy to record highest chase in tournament

Chasing down the giant target, Australia lost their opener Travis Head (6) and skipper Steven Smith (5) cheaply, which made the chasing almost impossible for them in the early look. However, another opener Matthew Short controlled the situation with Marnus Labuschagne. They had a 95-run partnership for the third wicket before Labuschagne (47 off 45 balls) and Short (63 off 66 balls) lost their wickets in quick succession. 

While Australia were once again in a tough situation in the record chase, English bowlers then struggled to handle the dew effect. Wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis and Alex Carey slammed a solid 146-run partnership for the fifth wicket that destroyed English hope. Inglis reached 50 runs in 41 balls, and Carey completed his half-century in 49 balls. Although Brydon Carse dismissed Carey for 69 off 63 balls (eight fours), Inglis' spirit was unharmed, and he got another strong support from Glenn Maxwell. 

In less than six overs, Inglis and Maxwell set a 74-run partnership for the unbroken sixth wicket. Inglis equalled the fastest century record in ICC Champions Trophy history by completing it in 77 balls. The English bowlers had no answer in the tough bowling conditions, where the Aussie middle-order batters had no mercy. 

Player of the Match Inglis scored 120 not out off 86 balls with eight fours and six sixes. Meanwhile, Maxwell was not out for 32 runs in 15 balls with four fours and two sixes. Five out of six English bowlers managed to pick a wicket, but none of them added any others to the tally. 

Australian wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis rewrote the history of the fastest century in ICC Champions Trophy history, as his heroic batting performance played a major role in Australia's stunning win against England by recording the highest total in tournament history. 

It was the first match for both Australia and England in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore hosted the fourth match of the tournament, where England scored the record tournament total of 351/8 in 50 overs, majorly thanks to opener Ben Duckett's tournament record-breaking score of 165 off 143 balls (17 fours and three sixes). 

Although Australia lost their first two wickets cheaply, Matthew Short and Marnus Labuschgane first handled the early situation, and later, the wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis dominated with the support of Alex Carey and Glenn Maxwell. 

Inglis had a 146-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Carey, and then he set another flying 74-run partnership with Maxwell for the unbroken sixth wicket, which lasted for 35 legitimated balls to secure an unforgettable victory in tournament history. 

See Also: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: India vs Pakistan - Check long list of prohibited for spectators

Josh Inglis recorded joint-fastest century in ICC Champions Trophy history

After completing his half-century in 41 balls, Inglis rushed to his maiden ODI century in just 77 balls. By completing his century, Inglis equaled the record for the fastest century in ICC Champions Trophy history. Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag previously held the record for lonely after scoring a 77-ball century against England in the ICC Champions Trophy 2002. 

Wicketkeeper-batter Inglis scored 120 not out off only 86 balls with the help of eight fours and six sixes. It was the third-highest score by a wicketkeeper-batter in the ICC Champions Trophy. While it was the fifth time that a wicketkeeper-batter recorded a Champions Trophy century, three of these have recorded this edition. 

ICC Champions Trophy: Wicketkeeper-batters with centuries

Australia and England Enter the 2025 Champions Trophy with Concerns  

Despite being the winners of the last two ICC ODI tournaments, Australia and England enter the 2025 Champions Trophy with minimal momentum. Australia, in particular, suffered two heavy defeats in Sri Lanka recently, which would dent the confidence of any team. The situation is further complicated by the absence of several first-choice players, raising concerns about their prospects in the tournament.  

Australia’s recent form in ODIs has been poor, having lost their last four matches without crossing the 200-run mark in any of them. While their batting unit, featuring Travis Head, stand-in captain Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, and Glenn Maxwell, will be relieved to play at a venue that has produced 300-plus scores lately, the real test lies in their bowling attack. For the first time since the 2016 T20 World Cup, Australia will be participating in an ICC event without their premier pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood. While they have won the Champions Trophy twice before, their recent record in the competition is unimpressive, having failed to register a single victory in the last two editions.  

England, on the other hand, do not have major injury concerns but still find themselves in a difficult position. Like Australia, their batters will welcome the batting-friendly conditions in Pakistan, especially after a tough series in India. Their 2023 ODI World Cup title defense did not go as planned, and with Brendon McCullum recently taking charge of the white-ball team, both he and captain Jos Buttler will be under scrutiny if England suffers another early exit.  

England are aiming to join the elite group of teams that have won all three major ICC white-ball tournaments, with the Champions Trophy being the only missing silverware. A strong start against their arch-rivals would be ideal, especially in a short tournament where an early loss could severely impact qualification chances.  

Match Details  
When: Australia vs England, February 22, 2025, 2:30 PM IST  
Where: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore  
Conditions: The pitch is expected to be batting-friendly, similar to the recent tri-series. The weather is likely to be warm.  

Team News  

Australia  
The composition of Australia's bowling attack will be closely observed, with Adam Zampa being the most experienced bowler in the squad, expected to lead from the front.  

Probable XI: Matthew Short, Travis Head, Steve Smith (C), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Alex Carey (WK), Aaron Hardie, Sean Abbott, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa  

England  
England are expected to maintain their aggressive batting approach. Captain Jos Buttler has confirmed Jamie Smith’s promotion to No.3 as a "free hit," while Joe Root moving to No.4 is aimed at strengthening the middle order after struggles in India.  

Playing XI: Phil Salt, Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith (WK), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (C), Liam Livingstone, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood  

Quotes  
"He's got the technical and tactical ability, but one of his biggest strengths is his mindset. Nothing seems to faze him. I think you could ask him to bat anywhere in the order, and he’d handle it well." – Jos Buttler on Jamie Smith’s promotion.  

Squads  

Australia: Matthew Short, Travis Head, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Steven Smith (C), Josh Inglis (WK), Aaron Hardie, Glenn Maxwell, Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Adam Zampa, Tanveer Sangha, Nathan Ellis, Spencer Johnson, Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey  

England: Philip Salt, Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith (WK), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (C), Liam Livingstone, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood, Jamie Overton, Saqib Mahmood, Tom Banton, Gus Atkinson

Hosting nation Pakistan adds a new embarrassment to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 as the organisers mistakenly played the Indian national anthem during the Group B match Australia vs England on Saturday afternoon (February 22).

It is the fourth match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 where two-time winners Australia are facing two-time runners-up England, and both are starting their journey in the tournament with this match. Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore is hosting this match as it is the first game of the tournament at this venue. 

Also Listen: Sachin Tendulkar's famous "main khelega" story

Played Indian national anthem instead of Australian national anthem

Australian captain Steven Smith chose to bat first after winning the toss in their tournament opener. Just before the beginning of England's innings in the match, both teams lined up for the national anthem. It was the time for the Australian national anthem when the organisers mistakenly played the Indian national anthem. Later, they learned that mistake and stopped it to play the original anthem. Aussie cricketers and fans were stunned by that mistake.  

Indian national anthem in #ENGvsAUS match😂
yeh yeh porki bolte hai hamara andian mazaak kyu udaate hai...#ChampionsTrophy2025 pic.twitter.com/073TQKAGN6

— Right choice (@Bipulkumar88088) February 22, 2025

ICC Champions Trophy 2025: India aren't playing Pakistan

In the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025, India aren't playing any of their matches in Pakistan. Due to long-term political issues between the two countries and security reasons, the Men in Blue haven't traveled to Pakistan, and they are playing all their matches in the tournament at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. 

In the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, India are in Group A along with hosts Pakistan, New Zealand, and Bangladesh. The Men in Blue started the tournament with a six-wicket win against Bangladesh, and they will face arch-rival Pakistan on Sunday (February 23) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.  

The highly anticipated 4th match of the 2025 Champions Trophy will feature England and Australia clashing at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on Saturday, February 22, 2025.

Australia has had a challenging run recently, suffering a series of defeats, including losses to Sri Lanka and Pakistan. The team has struggled to find consistent form, with their most recent wins coming in a hard-fought encounter against Pakistan. While they’ve faced some tough competition, Australia will be determined to bounce back and make an impact in the Champions Trophy.

England, on the other hand, has had a difficult time in their recent ODIs, particularly against India, suffering three consecutive losses by significant margins. Their defeats were marked by dominant performances from India, who outclassed England in each match. Despite these recent losses, England will be hoping to regroup and put up a strong challenge against Australia in their upcoming clash.

Head-to-Head : Australia vs England 

Australia and England have a long-standing rivalry, having faced each other 161 times in ODIs, with Australia holding a strong advantage, having won 91 matches compared to England's 65 victories and tw tied games. Three of their encounters have ended without a definite result. In their last five meetings, Australia has come out on top three times, while England has won twice. Despite some recent setbacks, both teams will be eager to perform at their best when they face off in the Champions Trophy.
In their last five meetings in the Champions Trophy, England has come out on top three times, while Australia has won twice. Both teams have had competitive encounters, with each looking to assert dominance in the prestigious tournament. Their rivalry in the Champions Trophy has been marked by high-stakes matches, and with both sides boasting strong line-ups, future encounters promise to be just as thrilling.

Both Sides met in  between England and Australia in the 2017 Champions Trophy saw England win by 40 runs using the D/L method. In a rain-affected match, Australia posted 277/9, while England, chasing a revised target, managed to reach 240/4. The win helped England secure a place in the final, and the match remains a significant part of their recent Champions Trophy history.

Australia vs England : Head-to-Head records in ODIS

Australia vs England : Head-to-Head records in Champions Trophy

The highly anticipated Australia vs England game of the Champions Trophy 2025 promises to be an electrifying match, pitting two of the most powerful cricketing teams against each other in a struggle for dominance. Both teams have put together very strong teams, combining experience with new talent, and this promises to be a thrilling contest for cricket enthusiasts everywhere

• Match: AUS vs. ENG
• Date: February 22, 2025
• Time: 2:30 PM Local Time (IST)
• Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, Pakistan

Live streaming details:

TV Broadcast Details

Online Streaming Platforms

ALSO READ:AUS vs ENG Today Match Prediction – Who Will Win? | Match 04, ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Preview & Analysis

Australia playing xi

Travis Head, Matthew Short, Steve Smith (c), Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Aaron Hardie, Sean Abbott, Spencer Johnson, Adam Zampa

England playing xi

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

The highly anticipated Australia vs England game of the Champions Trophy 2025 promises to be an electrifying match, pitting two of the most powerful cricketing teams against each other in a struggle for dominance. Both teams have put together very strong teams, combining experience with new talent, and this promises to be a thrilling contest for cricket enthusiasts everywhere.

Match Details:

• Date: Saturday, February 22, 2025
• Time: 2:30 PM 
• Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

Australia's Probable XI

1. Travis Head: The aggressive left-handed opener will be crucial in providing Australia with a solid start.

2. Matthew Short: A versatile batter with the ability to accelerate the innings when needed.

3. Steve Smith (c): The experienced leader and batting maestro, Smith's role at No. 3 will be pivotal in stabilizing the innings.

4. Josh Inglis: A dynamic batter who can take on the opposition’s bowlers in the middle overs.

5. Marnus Labuschagne: A technically sound batter who brings stability and resilience to the lineup.

6. Alex Carey (wk): A reliable wicketkeeper and middle-order batter capable of playing crucial finishing roles.

7. Glenn Maxwell: The explosive all-rounder known for his match-winning performances with both bat and ball.

8. Aaron Hardie: A rising all-rounder providing depth in batting and an extra pace option.

9. Sean Abbott: A seasoned campaigner with a knack for picking up key wickets.

10. Spencer Johnson: A young and talented fast bowler who can generate express pace.

11. Adam Zampa : The lead spinner in the squad, Zampa's variations will be key in the middle overs.

Travis Head, Matthew Short, Steve Smith (c), Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Aaron Hardie, Sean Abbott, Spencer Johnson, Adam Zampa

Key Strengths

• A balanced batting lineup with aggressive stroke players and solid anchors.
• Versatile all-rounders providing flexibility in team combinations.
• A mix of experienced bowlers and emerging pacers to counter England’s strong batting unit.

ALSO READ:ICC Champions Trophy 2025 (Group B) AFG vs SA: South Africa crush tournament debutants

England's Probable XI

1. Ben Duckett: A skilled top-order batter capable of handling pace and spin effectively.

2. Phil Salt: A destructive opener who can take the attack to the opposition from the first ball.

3. Jamie Smith (wk): A promising young wicketkeeper-batter looking to make a mark in international cricket.

4. Joe Root: The backbone of England’s batting lineup, Root’s ability to anchor the innings will be vital.

5. Harry Brook: A talented batter known for his ability to accelerate the scoring rate in the middle overs.

6. Jos Buttler (c): The explosive England skipper, renowned for his game-changing ability with the bat.

7. Liam Livingstone: A dangerous all-rounder who can clear the ropes with ease and contribute with his spin bowling.

8. Brydon Carse: A fast-bowling all-rounder with a raw pace and ability to deliver in crunch situations.

9. Mark Wood: England’s speedster, capable of unsettling batters with his express pace.

10. Jofra Archer: Returning to international cricket, Archer’s lethal pace and accuracy make him a key asset.

11. Adil Rashid: England’s premier leg-spinner, crucial for taking wickets in the middle overs.

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

Key Strengths

• A power-packed batting order with a mix of classical and aggressive batters.
• A formidable fast-bowling attack featuring Mark Wood and Jofra Archer.
• Adil Rashid’s wrist spin adds a crucial dimension to their bowling attack.

An interesting game seems to be on the cards. Two sides who are known for their power are coming in with concerns. England too start seem a little behind in the ODI game with their line-up lacking batting depth, specialist strength and bowling flexibility. Their experience is a concern and Jos Buttler's performances too are not as good as they are supposed to be. They are experimenting again with Jamie Smith at three, which could increase the depth of the batting line-up.

Australia though start in a tougher situation. They will be without a member of the big three bowling attack for the first time since 201. Marcus Stoinis has retired in ODIs, the openers in Short and Fraser McGurk don't seem to be in great form and the middle-order lacks firepower in the absence of Marsh as well. Travis Head and Glenn Maxwell are likely to have their work cut out with their skillset given Steve Smith and Labuschagne are both anchors rather than enforcers.

AUS vs ENG Match Details

Date: February 22nd, 2025

Time:  2:30 PM IST

Venue: Gadaffi Stadium, Lahore

Australia vs England Weather Report

Clear weather and a nice evening is expected for the game.

Australia vs England Pitch Report

Average Score Batting First in the last five games: 290

Average Score Batting Second in the last five games: 258

Wins Batting First in the last five games: 3

Wins Batting Second in the last five games: 2

Lahore has been a better ground to bat first on. 

See Also: AUS vs ENG Dream11 Prediction Tips to be the Best

Australia vs England Head to Head

AUS vs ENG Predicted Playing XI

ENG Playing XI

Phil Salt, Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler, Liam Livingstone, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Adil Rashid

AUS Playing XI

Travis Head, Matthew Short, Steve Smith, Jos Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey, Glenn Maxwell, Sean Abbott, Aaron Hardie/ Nathan Ellis, Spencer Johnson, Adam Zampa 

Australia vs England Key Players

Travis Head

Australia are short on firepower this tournament. The onus will thus be on Head with his opening partner not the most experienced and the middle-order lacking muscle, barring Glenn Maxwell. Head has been good in ODIs in recent months but his ability to tackle Brydon Carse could determine how the game goes.

Stat: Brydon Carse dismissed Travis Head three times in a row, in the powerplay, in a Five Match ODI Series earlier in 2024. 

Jamie Smith

With batting and keeping concerns Jamie Smith has been accommodated into the squad. His numbers and form has been really good as well and the line-up has some more cushion with him in there. 

AUS vs ENG Match Tips

Both sides are a little shaky but Australia still does not give the impression of being a side with players missing. They have the flare still and could continue to be favorites.

Match Prediction: Australia Will Win the Match