England hopeful over Champions Trophy fitness while NZ crush Pakistan in opener

Duckett, Archer and Smith all likely to be fit for Australia
Young and Latham hit tons in 60-run win for Black Caps

England begin their Champions Trophy campaign against Australia in bustling Lahore on Saturday and, while recent results have set alarm bells ringing, there is growing optimism that a previously lengthy injury list is at least beginning to ease.

So much so, in fact, that Jos Buttler, the captain, and Brendon McCullum, the head coach, may even be able to select from a fully fit squad for their Group B opener, with all 15 players taking part in their first training session at Pakistan’s National Academy on Wednesday.

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