Boof's timely reminder to England

England’s home ground advantage is one of the reasons why the Champions Trophy hosts are the firm favourites to win the title, but Australia coach Darren Lehmann has been quick to point out it hasn’t helped them in the past.

England have finished runners-up on both occasions when they have hosted the Champions Trophy, losing to the West Indies in 2004 and India in the most recent edition of the competition in 2013, and their record in World Cups on home soil doesn’t read any better.

The first three World Cups, from 1975 to 1983, were held in England, along with the 1999 edition, but on each occasion the hosts couldn’t get the job done.

In fact, England have not won a global 50-over tournament home or away, a drought that has now extended to 42 years.

Conversely, Australia have enjoyed more success in one-day international tournaments than any other nation, having won a record five World Cups and two Champions Trophy titles (2006 and 2009).

The last of those World Cup triumphs came in the antipodes in 2015 when Lehmann’s charges shirked the pressure of hometown favouritism to claim the quadrennial 50-over competition for a fourth time in five attempts.

Australia were favourites in the 2015 World Cup so Lehmann knows what England are going to experience over the next three weeks in a high-calibre tournament where each match is vital.

"It’s an advantage but they haven’t won it at home either," Lehmann told Sky Racing when asked if playing at home is advantageous for England.

"The pressure is on when you play at home, like us trying to win a World Cup at home (in 2015).

"It’s a huge tournament.

"The World Cup is obviously a bit tougher than the Champions Trophy but it’s the best eight sides going at it.

"You need to play well and it’s straight knockout basically. You can probably lose one but you have to win most of your games.

"The great thing about this one is it’s the top eight sides playing and anyone can win.

"That’s the challenge for the groups and (while) England are obviously one of the favourites, any one of those eight (teams) can win it."

While England’s 50-over trophy cabinet is bare, Lehmann – who has been involved in three World Cup victories (two as player, one a coach) – says his charges only need to look back two years on how to win a global competition. 

"We’re lucky enough that we play pretty good knockout tournaments, with the World Cup we’ve played quite well in the past," Lehmann said.

"For us it’s about taking those experiences in to this type of tournament.

"I’m pretty confident the way we set up in terms of knockout stages but it’s pressurised from ball one.

"That’s the great challenge for a young group, to try and play the brand of cricket that’s going to get you through knockout tournaments.

"That’s the great thing, we’re here for the Champions Trophy, next year for one-dayers and then we’ve got the World Cup (in 2019). It’s a great rehearsal for all those tournaments as well."

Australia play their final warm-up match against Pakistan on Monday in Birmingham, with Lehmann confirming left-armer Mitchell Starc will feature and is a likely certain starter for Friday’s Champions Trophy match against New Zealand.

Allrounder Glenn Maxwell will not play against Pakistan, but the coach is confident the Victorian will be fit for Friday.

"(Maxwell) is not going to play tomorrow," he said.

"He’s got a sore knee so he’s not going to play.

"He’ll be fine in a couple of days and then we’ll make a decision on Wednesday-Thursday with the make-up of the side.

"Pretty sure most of the guys will be available for selection."

Champions Trophy 2017 Guide

Squads: Every Champions Trophy squad named so far

Group A: Australia, New Zealand, England, Bangladesh.

Group B: India, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Pakistan.

Schedule

Warm-up matches

26 May – Australia v Sri Lanka, The Oval

27 May – Bangladesh v Pakistan, Edgbaston

28 May – India v New Zealand, The Oval

29 May – Australia v Pakistan, Edgbaston

30 May – New Zealand v Sri Lanka, Edgbaston

30 May – Bangladesh vs India, The Oval

Tournament

1 June – England v Bangladesh, The Oval (Day)

2 June – Australia v New Zealand, Edgbaston (D)

3 June – Sri Lanka v South Africa, The Oval (D)

4 June – India v Pakistan, Edgbaston (D)

5 June – Australia v Bangladesh, The Oval (D/N)

6 June – England v New Zealand, Cardiff (D)

7 June – Pakistan v South Africa, Edgbaston (D/N)

8 June – India v Sri Lanka, The Oval (D)

9 June – New Zealand v Bangladesh, Cardiff (D)

10 June – England v Australia, Edgbaston (D)

11 June – India v South Africa, The Oval (D)

12 June – Sri Lanka v Pakistan, Cardiff (D)

14 June – First semi-final (A1 v B2), Cardiff (D)

15 June – Second semi-final (A2 v B1), Edgbaston (D)

18 June – Final, The Oval (D)

19 June – Reserve day (D)