Picture : ICC / X
A depleted Australia powered by a stunning unbeaten hundred by wicket-keeper batsman Josh Inglis pulled off a stunning run chase to beat England by 5 wickets in a high-scoring thriller in the fourth match of the Champions Trophy 2025 in Lahore.
Earlier Australian skipper Steve Smith won the toss and opted to bowl first. It was big test for the young Aussie bowling unit without the big names -Captain marvel Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood. And the pressure was evident straight away as England feasted on the inexperience to post posted a massive total .
English opener Philip Salt fell to superb catch by Alex Carey for ( 10) , Jamie Smith scored 15 . Experienced Joe Root steadied the innings with his 68 ( 78 balls , 4 fours) , Harry Brook ( 3), Skipper Jos Buttler ( 23), Liam Livingstone ( 14) , Brydon Carse ( 4), Jofra Archer with a cameo unbeaten 21.
Unfazed by wicket falling around him Ben Duckett anchored the English innings with majestic hundred a power – packed 165 ( 143 balls, 17 fours, 3 sixes). It was Duckett’s knock that helped England reach 351/ 8 in their 50 overs. The total looked defendable but Josh Inglis it seems had other plans later on. An innings that would shock England.
Australia bowling : Spencer Johnson 0/ 54 ( 7 overs) , Ben Dwarshuis 3/ 66 ( 10 overs) , Nathan Ellis 0/ 51 ( 10 overs) , Glen Maxwell 1/ 58 ( 7 overs), Adam Zampa 2/ 64 ( 10 overs) , Mathew Short 0/ 7 ( 1 over) , Marnus Labuschagne 2/ 41 ( 5 overs)
Chasing 352, Australia got off to a horror start with dangerous Travis Head out early for ( 6). Skipper Steve Smith too followed soon out for ( 6). Aussies were rattled . But opener Mathew Short 63( 66 balls, 9 fours, 1 six) kept the Aussies on track . Always the anchor who is bankable Marnus Labuschagne hit a crucial 47 ( 45 balls, 5 fours) . Wicket- keeper Batsman Alec Carey showed his batting prowess with superb innings of 69 ( 63 balls , 8 fours). Aussies were in the hunt .
Another wicket- keeper batsman Josh Inglis relished the big game and smashed a breathtaking unbeaten 120 ( 86 balls, 8 fours, 6 sixes) hitting the winning shot for six . Inglis innings shocked England players into disbelief . Accompanied by power man Glenn Maxwell who remained not out 32 ( 15 balls, 4 fours, 2 sixes), Australia romped home with 15 balls to spare . Australia finishing at 356/ 5 in 47. 3 overs. it was the highest ever run chase in the history of the Champions Trophy . The previous best was Pakistan’s 345 against Sri Lanka at the 2023 men’s World Cup.
England bowling after early breakthroughs wilted later by Inglis, Short , Carey onslaught. Mark Wood 1/ 75 ( 9.3 overs) , Jofra Archer 1/ 82 ( 10 overs) , Brydon Carse 1/ 69 ( 7 overs) , Adil Rashid 1/ 47 ( 10 overs) , Liam Livingstone 1/ 47 ( 7 overs) , Joe Root 0/ 26 ( 4 overs)
Match: Champions Trophy, 4th Match
Venue: Lahore | Date: Feb 22, 2025
