England captain Jos Buttler expects Australia to pose a tough challenge when they meet in a Champions Trophy Group B clash in Lahore on Saturday, despite missing their pace trio.
Australia’s campaign in the eight-nation Champions Trophy was hit hard after their regular skipper Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood were ruled out due to ankle and hip injuries
To add to their woes, spearhead Mitchell Starc withdrew from the event for personal reasons while Mitchell Marsh, suffering a back injury, and Marcus Stoinis shockingly retired from ODIs.
Experienced batsman Steve Smith will take over as captain with an inexperienced pace attack, but Buttler did not underestimate the traditional rivals.
“They have been a real pillar of success for Australia for a long period of time, so naturally there’ll be a miss for their team,” Buttler told a news conference on Friday.
“But they’ve got some top players to step into those shoes as well and Australia always over time have performed very well in ICC tournaments.We expect a really tough challenge.”
Australia’s pace attack will be led by Sean Abbott, Spencer Johnson, Nathan Ellis and Ben Dwarshuis, while spinner Tanveer Sangha supplements Adam Zampa in spin bowling.
“England and Australia, there’s always a great rivalry and a competitive match. And obviously, in the Champions Trophy format, each game is really a massive game,” Buttler told reporters. “So, we look forward to it.”
Buttler said fast bowler Jofra Archer is fit and raring to go.
“He’s been fit and firing now for 18 months or so since being out of the game for a while. So, he’s really excited to put together a performance,” he said of the 29-year-old pacer.
Archer featured in all five T20Is against India but missed the last two ODIs on the tour that preceded the Champions Trophy.
“He is someone as a captain you always know you can turn to and throw the ball to,” Buttler added. “He’s obviously going to be really looking forward to the game tomorrow.”
England had announced their final XI for the match on Thursday evening, recalling wicketkeeper-batsman Jamie Smith who will bat at three – a decision Buttler backed.
“He’s obviously got the game technically and tactically, but I think the head on his shoulders seems to be one of the biggest strengths,” he said. “Nothing seems to faze him too much. I think you could ask him to bat anywhere in the lineup and it wouldn’t phase him. We feel it gives him a nice position to try and really impact the game.”
Buttler hoped conditions in Pakistan will be different from India where they lost T20I series 4-1 and ODIs 3-0.
“I think everywhere you go around the world, everywhere has its own nuances and different conditions. We’ve got lots of guys who’ve played in Pakistan before, so sharing those experiences,” he said.
England is the only top side not to have won the Champions Trophy, initiated in 1998 as the ICC Knock-Out tournament.
Besides England and Australia, South Africa and Afghanistan are in Group B.
Defending champions and hosts Pakistan, India, New Zealand and Bangladesh comprise Group A. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals.