It only took 18 months, but Australia may have finally unearthed an ODI replacement for David Warner.
Since the veteran opener’s retirement following the 2023 World Cup campaign in India, the Australians have trialled several players at the top of the order, including Josh Inglis, Jake Fraser-McGurk and Mitchell Marsh.
Heading into the Champions Trophy, Fraser-McGurk and Matt Short were the leading candidates to occupy the opening slot alongside Travis Head, but both were struggling for runs, averaging 9.40 and 19.00 in ODIs respectively since the start of the home summer.
Ultimately, Short was given the nod for Australia’s Champions Trophy opener against England, a decision that paid dividends on Saturday.
After the Australians lost two early wickets, Short combined with Marnus Labuschagne for a 95-run partnership for the third wicket to get the run chase back on track. The Victorian raced towards a fifty, his second ODI half-century, in just 47 deliveries, headlined by several lofted pull shots against England’s quicks.
Short’s knock came to a sudden end in the 23rd over when he chipped a low return chance back to all-rounder Liam Livingstone, trudging off for a career-best 63. Although he couldn’t convert into triple figures, the 29-year-old has shown he’s capable of delivering for his country in major tournaments.
Australia's Matthew Short celebrates after scoring a half-century (50 runs) during the ICC Champions Trophy one-day international (ODI) cricket match between Australia and England at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on February 22, 2025. (Photo by Aamir QURESHI / AFP)
ENGLAND’S SMITH GAMBLE BACKFIRES
England’s decision to elevate wicketkeeper Jamie Smith to No. 3 backfired during Saturday’s ODI in Lahore, with former Australian opener Matthew Hayden questioning the experiment.
Smith, who missed England’s recent ODI series against India due to injury, was recalled for the Champions Trophy opener and promoted to first drop. The 24-year-old had previously never batted higher than No. 5 in ODIs, while he’s yet to muster a half-century in the 50-over format.
“We just feel it’s a nice position to give him a free hit to try and really impact the game, make that top three really dynamic,” England captain Jos Buttler explained on Friday.
“Jamie’s someone with incredible talent and taken to international cricket so well that we feel he’s got the game there and can place him in that position to try and have a really big impact with a number of guys behind him.”
However, Smith failed to validate his promotion at Gaddafi Stadium, dismissed for 15 in the sixth over after tamely chipping Australian seamer Ben Dwarshuis towards mid-on.
Joe Root, England’s most successful No. 3 in ODI history, had to slide down the order to accommodate Smith’s return, combining with opener Ben Duckett for a 158-run partnership for the third wicket to revive the innings.
In commentary, Hayden questioned the motivation behind moving Root away from his preferred position, comparing the Englishman’s skillset to Australian captain Steve Smith.
“There is nothing in my head that suggests Joe Root should bat anywhere else other than No. 3,” Hayden declared.
Root averages 49.70 with a strike rate of 89.04 at first drop in ODIs, while that figure dips to 41.27 striking at 80.28 when the right-hander walks out at No. 4.
LAHORE, PAKISTAN - FEBRUARY 22: Jamie Smith of England plays a shot during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 match between Australia and England at Gaddafi Stadium on February 22, 2025 in Lahore, Pakistan. (Photo by Sameer Ali/Getty Images)
MARNUS, THE DEATH BOWLER
Australia omitted all-rounder Aaron Hardie for their tournament opener in Lahore, leaving Steve Smith with only four strike bowlers at his disposal.
Part-time spinners Marnus Labuschagne and Glenn Maxwell were tasked with shouldering the workload in the absence of a fifth bowler, collectively conceding 99 runs across 12 overs. With short boundaries and minimal assistance from the batter-friendly deck, Australia’s inexperienced bowlers copped an old-fashioned hiding.
However, Labuschagne and Maxwell each unearthed crucial breakthroughs with the ball, including the dismissals of centurion Ben Duckett and rival captain Jos Buttler. The Queenslander was even tasked with bowling at the death, only conceding three runs and taking a superb return catch during the 48th over.
Although Labuschagne bowled commendably, Smith would be the first to acknowledge the leg-spinner isn’t the idyllic death bowler. But having lost faith in quick Spencer Johnson, who leaked 54 runs across seven expensive overs, the Australian skipper didn’t have many other options.
Pending team balance and conditions, Australia may continue with the team balance of seven batters and four bowlers, but the lack of all-rounders in the starting XI could prove a problem as the tournament progresses.
LAHORE, PAKISTAN - FEBRUARY 22: Marnus Labuschagne of Australia takes a catch to dismiss Brydon Carse of England (not pictured) during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 match between Australia and England at Gaddafi Stadium on February 22, 2025 in Lahore, Pakistan. (Photo by Sameer Ali/Getty Images)
WOOD SENDS ASHES WARNING WITH RAPID BURST
England speedster Mark Wood produced one of modern cricket’s fastest spells on Saturday, terrorising Australia’s top order under lights in Lahore.
The right-armer maintained speeds of above 150km/h throughout his opening burst, which according to CricViz was the fastest four-over burst by an English bowler in ODIs. He also accounted for the crucial dismissal of Australian captain Steve Smith, who edged towards the slips cordon in the fifth over for 5.
Wood was seemingly unplayable on a good length, but Australia’s batters cashed in when he drifted onto the pads. And whenever he offered width, the Australians happily steered towards vacancies through point, using his added pace to their advantage.
Wood, who celebrated his 35th birthday last month, recently recovered from an elbow injury. If fit and firing, he could be a massive threat on Australian decks during next summer’s Ashes series.
