Discover how Josh Inglis led Australia to a remarkable record chase of 352 runs, overcoming Duckett’s impressive performance in this thrilling match recap.
Introduction:
Ben Duckett’s record-equaling 165 illuminated Lahore, but not quite enough to avert England’s agonizing defeat as Josh Inglis led Australia to a historic run chase in the ICC Champions Trophy. In a thrilling high-scoring encounter, Australia chased England’s record-breaking 352-run score with consummate ease, closing at 355 for 6 in the 48th over — the highest successful run chase in men’s ICC tournament history.
Though Duckett’s glittering century established a fresh record for individual score in the history of the Champions Trophy, it was Inglis’ 120*-thumping and forceful cricket that took all the attention eventually. His first ODI ton, sprinkled with creative strokes and thudding backfoot blows, led Australia’s recovery on a seamer-friendly wicket where nothing much was provided to the bowlers. The outcome sets England on shaky footing in the tournament, now requiring must-win outcomes against Afghanistan and South Africa to continue their semi-final ambitions. See also: Ibrahim Zadran’s 177 Inspires Afghanistan
England’s Rocky Start and Duckett’s Steadying Hand
England’s re-jigged batting order didn’t start quite as they would have hoped. Phil Salt got out early, trying a bold shot in the second over, only for Alex Carey to produce a remarkable one-handed catch — his first as an ODI outfielder. Jamie Smith, pushed up to No. 3, showed flashes of class with a couple of elegant cover drives but fell shortly afterward, leaving England in a perilous 43 for 2.
That was when Joe Root and Ben Duckett stepped in. Duckett, after an initial holdback, came into his rhythm after the powerplay, hitting boundaries with rising regularity. Root, in turn, remained the anchor man, intelligently rotating strike and building runs without indulging in rash shots. See also: Virat Kohli’s Masterclass 100 Sinks Pakistan
Their 158-run alliance provided the basis for England’s record Champions Trophy total. Duckett’s career was a clinic in versatility — blending dainty sweeps with nasty straight drives. He completed his half-century in a horizontal bat blow and soon gained pace towards his century off back-to-back boundaries against Spencer Johnson.
Root was in good form but fell for 68 while trying a sweep off Adam Zampa, trapped lbw after a failed review. Root’s dismissal caused a minor wobble as Harry Brook and Jos Buttler were unable to capitalize, but Duckett kept his attack going.
Duckett’s Record Knock and England’s Late Push
Despite losing partners left and right, Duckett charged on, scoring 165 off 143 balls — the record individual score in Champions Trophy history — before getting trapped lbw by Marnus Labuschagne off the 48th ball. His wicket ended England’s chances of crossing 370, but a late explosion by Jofra Archer ensured England were at 352.
It was a daunting total, but England’s camp was well aware of the flat pitch and dew factor that would help Australia’s pursuit.
Australia’s Chase: Inglis Orchestrates Record-Breaking Victory
Australia’s response started nervously. Travis Head, a threat man following his World Cup heroics, was out for 6 after toe-ending a lofted shot back to Archer, who took a sharp catch. Mark Wood then sent Steven Smith packing, who edged to slip after not being able to cope with a rising delivery.
England felt an opening at 35 for 2, but Australia’s middle order had other ideas. Marnus Labuschagne and Matthew Short stabilized the innings with a 95-run partnership, going after England’s wayward pace attack, notably Brydon Carse, who was not able to get his lines right.
Short, under pressure after a string of low scores, found form with inventive strokes, while Labuschagne played the anchor. However, Adil Rashid’s leg-spin turned the tide momentarily. Labuschagne fell for 46, miscuing a slow 70 kph delivery straight to cover, and Short soon followed, chipping a return catch to Liam Livingstone after reaching 63. At 136 for 4, England were back in the game — but Josh Inglis had other plans.
Josh Inglis’ Masterclass and England’s Bowling Collapse
Inglis, an English-born Australian, was the personification of aggression and composure. He got a perfect partner in Alex Carey, and the two of them tore apart England’s bowling attack. Inglis was especially merciless against Archer, hitting consecutive boundaries and keeping the run rate in check.
A turning point came when Archer spilled an easy catch off Carey, who brought up his half-century shortly afterward. Although Carey later fell for 58 — caught by Carse at mid-off — Inglis remained unperturbed.
With 70 required off 50 balls, the pressure was building, but Inglis, along with Glenn Maxwell, launched a counterattack of accuracy. Inglis registered his century in style, crushing Archer over deep midwicket for six, and Maxwell’s late innings blast further deflated England.
It was appropriate that Inglis finished the match with another big six, making Australia’s name in the record books.
England’s Underperformances Under Dew
England’s bowling attack, so much their forte, was undermined by the dew and the relentless batting of Australia. Although the pace of Wood caused problems for the top order, the inability of Carse to penetrate and the unreliability of Archer enabled Australia to recover.
Adil Rashid’s disciplined spell (2 for 49) temporarily stemmed the flow of Australia’s run, but leaving him out of the attack after only six overs came at a cost. As the seamers found it difficult to hold on to the ball in the light, Australia’s batsmen cashed in.
Brydon Carse, especially, had a forgettable evening, conceding runs at close to 8 an over, while Archer’s dropped catch and costly spells added to England’s misery.
Australia’s Depth and Inglis’ Breakthrough Performance
Even without star bowlers Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc, Australia demonstrated their depth. While the reserve attack leaked 352 runs, the batting order more than made up for it. Josh Inglis, usually in the shadow of larger names, made his mark on the world stage with a measured but explosive century.
His strike rotation, coupled with Maxwell’s late hitting, ensured Australia were in control throughout the chase.
What’s Next for Both Teams?
Australia’s dominant win cements their position as tournament favorites, particularly after most had given up on them before the Champions Trophy. They are now at the top of the group and look forward to their encounter with New Zealand with increasing confidence.
For England, the road to the semi-finals is now uphill. They have to beat Afghanistan and South Africa in their remaining matches — an uphill task considering they are in rickety form and bruised ego. Mikel Arteta and his support staff need to work on the bowling inconsistency and how they can assist their in-form batting unit.