The start came after Cook won the toss and elected to bat.
Aussies have a major worry to deal with as skipper Michael Clarke's long-standing back problem has flared up once again, ruling him out for Saturday's match.
England, on the other hand, would be looking to flourish in familiar conditions even though they endured an ODI series loss to a rather weak New Zealand just before the Champions Trophy.
But an overall assessment of their ODI stats would reveal that since 2010, England have won 23 and lost only 11 of the 37 matches they have played at home.
Runs would also be expected from the likes of explosive opener David Warner and Phil Hughes but batting would still be counted as a major weakness of the Australians which every opposition side would look to exploit.
Watson would be crucial here as well along with Mitchell Johnson and Mitchell Starc but the lack of a quality slower bowler could pinch the team as it guns for its third consecutive Champions Trophy title.
England, in contrast, look a settled squad even though the absence of an injured Kevin Pietersen could hurt them quite a bit.
Teams:
Australia: George Bailey (captain), James Faulkner, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Marsh, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, Shane Watson, Phillip Hughes, Clint McKay, Adam Voges, David Warner.
England: Alastair Cook (captain), Ravi Bopara. Stuart Broad, Joe Root, James Tredwell, James Anderson, Ian Bell, Tim Bresnan, Jos Buttler, Eoin Morgan, Jonathan Trott.
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