Depleted Australia battles England in Champions Trophy opener

Australia faces a significant challenge as they enter the Champions Trophy with a severely depleted squad, missing their key fast bowlers Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc, along with several all-rounders. The team has struggled recently, suffering a 2-0 ODI series defeat against Sri Lanka and going winless in their last four matches. Stand-in captain Steve Smith will lead a bowling attack with limited experience, as the selected bowlers have only 119 white-ball internationals between them. In their opening match, Australia will face England, who are also looking to rebound from a poor ODI series record. Both teams are eager to make an impact in this prestigious tournament, often referred to as a 'mini' World Cup. Despite the odds, Australia's selectors express confidence in their ability to adapt and compete effectively throughout the tournament.