Champions Trophy: England versus Australia the game 'you always relish', says Joe Root ahead of opening match
21 February 2025, 10:42 | Updated: 21 February 2025, 12:22
Joe Root is relishing England's opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy against an under-strength Australia, saying "it's always a good time" to play their Ashes rivals.
On Saturday - live on Sky Sports Cricket from 8.30am (first ball, 9am) - England take on an Australia side missing their captain Pat Cummins (ankle), fellow fast bowlers Josh Hazlewood (hip), Mitchell Starc (personal reasons), and all-rounders Mitchell Marsh (back), Cameron Green (back) and Marcus Stoinis (retired).
Australia also enter the Champions Trophy on the back of successive ODI defeats to a Sri Lanka side that have not even qualified for the tournament. Not that England will be taking them lightly.
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