TOP STORIES
Adam Gilchrist wants Steve Smith to open innings for Australia at Champions Trophy
Adam Gilchrist, one of Australia’s most legendary wicketkeeper-batter, believes that skipper Steve Smith will be incredibly pivotal for Australia at the Champions Trophy. He has expressed the belief that Steve Smith should open the batting for Australia in Champions Trophy as it will be a viable option for the team. Although, he looks at Travis Head and Matt Short as the preferred opening combination, but stressed on Steve Smith coming out at the top of the order.
“It’s a challenging one at the moment – maybe Steve Smith needs to open up there,” Gilchrist said on ABC Summer Grandstand on Saturday.
“Obviously Travis is going to be there whenever he’s fit and fresh and they are picking whatever is their best team.”
“I like Matt Short being in there – that would be a nice combination left hand-right hand. That would be the preferable way for me to go. But I do think Steve Smith could open – we’ve seen him do it in T20 cricket really well.
“Maybe he’s too valuable in that middle order. I can’t see a reason why you wouldn’t want him facing as many balls as possible in a 50-over game – it would be a very viable option to get him up there.”
Australia, who will head into the Champions Trophy without the pace trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, are coming off a 0-2 series defeat against Sri Lanka in the recently-concluded two-match series. They will take on England in their first match of the Champions Trophy on February 22 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
Tags
More News
Kapil Dev speaks on Bumrah’s injury ahead of Champions Trophy
Former Indian captain Kapil Dev has voiced concerns over the increasing number of injuries among Indian players, citing the demanding schedule. In a major setback for India ahead of the Champions Trophy, pacer Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the tournament due to a back injury.
Bumrah’s absence leaves a major gap in India’s bowl...
“This is not T20”: Former England cricketer’s warning to Arshdeep Singh ahead of Champions Trophy
Team India will kick off their Champions Trophy campaign without the availability of pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who has been sidelined due to a back injury. Bumrah failed to recover in time for the Champions Trophy, following which he was ruled out of the tournament. Bumrah had suffered back spasms during the final Test in Sydney against Australia last mont...
WPL 2025, DC vs MI: All you need to know, playing XI, head to head
The Women’s Premier League 2025 season is well underway, and Mumbai Indians Women are preparing to clash with Delhi Capitals Women in the second match of the tournament, scheduled to be played on Saturday at Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara.
This will be the opening match for both teams, who will be eager to start their campaign ...
“It's about me communicating with them”: Steve Smith confident ahead of Champions Trophy despite 0-2 whitewash against SL
As the 2025 Champions Trophy draws closer, Australia find themselves in a precarious position, with a major void in their fast-bowling department. The absence of their formidable pacers—Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood—due to injuries has raised concerns. Adding to the worry was Mitchell Starc's decision to ...
New Zealand’s Ben Sears ruled out of Champions Trophy
New Zealand player Ben Sears has been ruled out of the Champions Trophy following a hamstring injury. Sears, who was also part of New Zealand’s squad for the Pakistan ODI Tri-Series, experienced pain in his hamstring during the team’s training session in Karachi on Wednesday.
“We’re all really feeling for Ben. It’s...
YouTube
Facebook
Instagram
