Remarkable Chase By Australia Against English in Champions Trophy
LAHORE: Josh Inglis’ explosive century outshone Ben Duckett’s brilliant 165-run effort as Australia secured a thrilling five-wicket win over England in the fourth match of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 at Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.
Chasing a challenging target of 352, the former champions reached the finish line with five wickets in hand and 15 balls remaining, thanks to a game-changing partnership between Inglis and fellow wicketkeeper Alex Carey.
However, Australia’s pursuit got off to a shaky start, losing Travis Head (6) and Steve Smith (5) within the first five overs, leaving them reeling at 27/2.
Marnus Labuschagne then teamed up with Matthew Short to stabilize the innings, adding a brisk 95-run partnership that revived their hopes. But both batters departed in quick succession, leaving the chase in a delicate position.
Labuschagne contributed 47 off 45 balls, while Short hit nine fours and a six in his 66-ball 63.
England seemed to be back in the contest, but Inglis and Carey counterattacked to tilt the momentum back in Australia’s favor. Their dominant stand produced 146 runs from just 116 deliveries.
Carey notched up a well-made 69 off 63 balls, hitting eight boundaries before Brydon Carse dismissed him in the 42nd over. Meanwhile, Inglis remained unbeaten, guiding Australia to a morale-boosting victory.
Josh Inglis top-scored for Australia with an unbeaten 120 off 86 balls, smashing eight fours and six sixes. He also stitched a crucial 70-run stand with Glenn Maxwell, who blazed an unbeaten 32 off just 15 balls, striking four fours and two sixes.
For England, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, and Mark Wood each claimed a wicket.
Earlier, after being put into bat, England posted a formidable 351/8 in their 50 overs, thanks to a marathon third-wicket partnership between Duckett and Joe Root.
The 2019 World Cup winners endured a rocky start as Ben Dwarshuis struck twice in his opening spell, removing Phil Salt (10) and Jamie Smith (15), reducing England to 43/2 in 5.2 overs.
Duckett and Root, however, counterattacked effectively, dominating Australia’s relatively inexperienced bowling attack with a 158-run partnership. Their solid stand put England in command before Adam Zampa dismissed Root for 68 off 78 balls, which included four boundaries.
Zampa struck again soon after, removing Harry Brook (3) and leaving England at 219/4 in the 35th over.
Despite wickets falling at the other end, Duckett anchored the innings with key contributions from Jos Buttler (23), Liam Livingstone (14), and Brydon Carse (8) before eventually departing in the 48th over to Labuschagne.
Duckett finished as England’s top-scorer, hammering 165 off 143 deliveries, decorated with 17 fours and three sixes.
For Australia, Dwarshuis was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 3/66 in his 10 overs, while Zampa and Labuschagne bagged two wickets each. Glenn Maxwell chipped in with one dismissal.
