AGENCIES

England expect 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 due to personal reasons while Mitchell Marsh, suffering a back injury, and Marcus Stoinis shockingly retired from ODIs.

Experienced batter 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,” England skipper Jos 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.”

Even Australia’s Adam Zampa realised that there are big gaps to be filled, hoping that new heroes would emerge for the two-time champions of the tournament.

Zampa could not recall the last time the world champions went to a major ICC tournament without at least one of the three quicks steaming in, and suggested it was quite an adjustment.

“Most ICC events that we’ve played over the last -- almost decade -- it’s been a very similar bowling attack,” said the 32-year-old legspinner.

“So to not have those guys here, it’s obviously a big loss, and we know that.

“But it’s obviously a great opportunity, too.

“If we’re playing our roles and contributing, I think that’ll be important throughout.

“And then hopefully a match-winner somewhere along the way pulls it off for us.”

Despite the absence of the big names in the Australian side, Zampa greeted with relish the fact that they are about to open their Champions Trophy campaign against former ODI world champions and Ashes rivals England.

“Nice to get them first up. It’s always nice to beat England, one of those teams that you definitely get up a little bit more for,” Zampa said.