The runner up of 2015 World Cup i.e. New Zealand won the toss against the ultimate winner of the tournament and decided to bat first against the world champions in Edgbaston.

On a pitch where the experts reckoned will be good for Pacers, the New Zealand team did not play Mitchell McClenghan and all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme, which meant that Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Adam Milne were three Pacers for them.

Surprisingly, there was no place for Tom Latham as well, who led the side in the tri-series that preceded the Champions Trophy.

On the other side, Australian team went with all pace attack led by Mitchell Starc with no specialist spinner which meant that there was no place for Adam Zampa either. Along with him, Marcus Stoinis, Chris Lynn and James Pattinson were asked to warm the bench for the game. The pitch is expected to aid Pacers right from the start, hence, it will be an opportunity for the Aussie bowlers to reap benefits first.

Australia seems to be favourite team in this contest due to the fact that they have the best pace attack in the tournament and looking at this game, it can be said if Starc and company get few wickets right at the start, then it will be difficult for New Zealand to register a comeback.

Here is the playing XI of both the sides –

Australia Playing XI: David Warner, Aaron Finch, Steven Smith(c), Travis Head, Glenn Maxwell, Moises Henriques, Matthew Wade(w), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, John Hastings, Josh Hazlewood.

New Zealand Playing XI: Martin Guptill, Luke Ronchi(w), Kane Williamson(c), Ross Taylor, Neil Broom, James Neesham, Corey Anderson, Mitchell Santner, Adam Milne, Tim Southee, Trent Boult.

Here is what both the captains said at the time of the toss –

Steven Smith:

Stoinis, Zampa, Lynn and Pattinson miss out. We would have bowled first anyway. There is a bit of overcast so try and make the most of the weather conditions. There have been some good preparations. It is a big tournament, we need to start well against a good New Zealand side today.

Kane Williamson:

We are going to have a bat. Looks a great surface. We have had a bit of break. Guys are looking forward to this one. The short boundary makes it pretty interesting. It is always tough to beat the Australian side, whatever side they put.