Australia and England, two long-standing cricket arch-rivals, began their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 against each other with a high-stakes encounter at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Australian captain Steve Smith elected to field first after winning the toss, thus immediately putting England on the spot as Jos Buttler’s side sought to bounce back from recent woes in the ODI game.
England, following a dismal Indian tour where they were whitewashed 3-0 in ODIs and lost a 4-1 T20I series, found themselves in a spot of bother again early. They lost their first wicket in the second over when opening batsman Phil Salt was sent back for a mere 10 runs from six balls by Australia’s left-arm pacer Ben Dwarshuis.
Dwarshuis, at 130.5 kph, produced a full-length ball aimed at the leg stump. Salt shifted slightly leg-side in an effort to whip it over wide mid-on, connecting well and anticipating the ball racing away for a boundary. But at mid-on, which was where Alex Carey was posted, things took a different turn.
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The Australian wicketkeeper demonstrated his lightning-fast reflexes, jumping to his right and pulling off an earth-shattering one-handed catch in mid-air. Salt could do no more than stand in amazement as he walked back to the pavilion. Australia’s dominance was maintained as Dwarshuis struck once again, this time sending Jamie Smith packing.
𝙎𝙃𝙊𝙏𝙎 𝙂𝘼𝙇𝙊𝙍𝙀, 𝘽𝙐𝙏 𝙏𝙃𝙀𝙉… 𝙂𝙊𝙉𝙀! 😲💥
Phil Salt was in full flow, but Alex Carey’s stunning grab brings his blazing knock to an end! 🧤🔥
Can Australia capitalize on this breakthrough? 🏏⚡#ChampionsTrophyOnJioStar 👉 #AUSvENG, LIVE NOW on Star Sports 2,… pic.twitter.com/CgScZ0l4Wi— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 22, 2025
The English batsman, trying an aerial drive off a fuller-length ball at 129.8 kph, did not have the required height. Carey was in the right place at the right moment for the second time in mid-on, taking his second sharp catch. Steve Smith, sensing his error at once, turned and left even before the ball came to rest in Carey’s hands.
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His brief stay at the crease lasted for 15 runs off 13 balls, including three boundaries. With two wickets lost in quick succession, England were in early trouble against a determined Australian team that seemed bent on taking the game away from them. As the pressure built, Buttler’s team required a solid partnership to steady their innings and prevent another collapse in Lahore.
