Australia successfully chased down England’s score of 351, making 356 for 5, in a thrilling Champions Trophy match, achieving the highest successful chase in ICC tournament history. Ben Duckett starred for England, scoring a record 165 runs, but his effort was overshadowed by Josh Inglis, who scored an unbeaten 120 off 86 balls. Australia, despite losing early wickets, benefited from partnerships, especially between Inglis and Alex Carey, who contributed 69 runs. England’s bowlers struggled under the conditions, leading to Australia’s victory in the 48th over. This match marked the first ICC event held in Lahore since 1996.
Australia 356 for 5 (Inglis 120*, Carey 69, Short 63, Rashid 1-47) triumphed over England 351 for 8 (Duckett 165, Root 68, Dwarshuis 3-66, Labuschagne 2-41, Zampa 2-64) by five wickets
The opening match of an ICC tournament in Lahore since March 1996 was dominated by batting in this Champions Trophy thriller, providing little opportunity for bowlers on such a conducive surface.
Using a blend of inventive shots and powerful backfoot strikes, Inglis celebrated his first ODI century, finishing an impressive 120 not out off 86 balls, as Australia chased down the target of 352 with relative ease in the 48th over. England’s bowlers struggled with the dew as Australia achieved their second-highest successful ODI chase, following their 359 for 6 against India in Mohali in 2019.
This was a bitter disappointment for England, who are now faced with must-win matches against Afghanistan and South Africa. They will lament their inability to capitalize fully with the bat, even though Duckett’s magnificent 165 from 143 deliveries stands as the highest individual score in Champions Trophy history. He received solid backing from Joe Root, who contributed a sharp 68 in a third-wicket partnership of 158.
Despite no other batter achieving more than 25 runs, England still posted the highest total ever in the tournament, taking full advantage of the least experienced Australian attack at an ICC ODI event since 1983. They played without key quicks Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc, as well as seam-bowling allrounders Cameron Green, Mitchell Marsh, and Marcus Stoinis.
Nonetheless, Australia’s batting lineup proved resilient, suffering two early wickets after Travis Head and stand-in captain Steven Smith fell during the powerplay, mirroring England’s innings.
Having previously dazzled with a remarkable century at a 50-over ICC event, Head was expected to shine but was dismissed for just 6 as his swipe found the toe of the bat, leading to a sharp return catch for Jofra Archer.
Short broke free from a streak of poor form, skillfully utilizing the pace of England’s bowlers, but legspinner Adil Rashid, in concert with Liam Livingstone, bowled exceedingly well, tightening the run flow.
Labuschagne, feeling frustrated, hit a slow 70 kph legbreak from Rashid straight to cover, and shortly after, Short was caught returning a catch to Livingstone, leaving Australia at 136 for 4.
Carey celebrated his half-century somewhat sheepishly after a comfortable delivery to Rashid was dropped by Archer. Meanwhile, Inglis began to take charge, hitting Archer for consecutive boundaries as England’s grip on the game began to slip.
Just when Australia seemed to be gaining momentum, Carey fell to Carse at mid-off with 70 runs still needed from 50 balls. Nevertheless, Inglis remained unfazed, launching a six off Archer as he stylishly reached his century.
Smith decided to bowl after being convinced that the dew would be a significant factor under lights, as Australia took the field at an ICC event without their premier quicks for the first time in nine years.
Australia’s considerably diminished bowling attack faced immediate pressure on the flat pitch. While Starc was absent, aggressive left-armers Spencer Johnson and Ben Dwarshuis took the new ball.
Dwarshuis was preferred over Sean Abbott, who had played in both ODIs against Sri Lanka, due to tactical match-up considerations, though his early two wickets largely stemmed from poor shot selection.
Initially, England’s reconfigured batting order struggled, falling into old habits as Phil Salt went early, dismissed in the second over while attempting to clear the on-side. Carey made a sensational one-handed catch to his right.
This marked a brilliant debut ODI catch for Carey as an outfielder and reaffirmed the decision to keep Inglis as the primary wicketkeeper.
All eyes turned to Jamie Smith, batting at No. 3 for the first time in international cricket, a strategic move that pushed Root, Harry Brook, and Jos Buttler down the order.
Smith crafted a couple of elegant cover drives before meekly falling to Carey, who easily took the catch.
Unforeseen, England found themselves at 43 for 2, but recovered quickly as Duckett and Root capitalized on erratic bowling from Johnson and Dwarshuis. Duckett, who began slowly, smoked a boundary off the final delivery of the powerplay, moving England to 73 for 2.
Following the easing of fielding restrictions, Smith turned to spin, but with little turn available, Duckett and Root expertly rotated the strike, adopting a conservative approach with four fielders deep.
Duckett demonstrated his enhanced ability to drive down the ground, targeting Maxwell with flair, and reached his half-century with a horizontal bat shot off Johnson.
Root’s innings appeared effortless, focusing on picking gaps rather than boundaries, leading him to a half-century off just 56 balls. He found a perfect opportunity to break his long ODI century drought, stretching back to the 2019 World Cup, as England aimed for a total in the high 300s.
However, Root became ensnared by legspinner Adam Zampa, who, in good form, tricked Root into a sweep attempt, leading to a tight lbw decision after a failed review. Australia fought back with Zampa’s clever variations taking down Brook, with another splendid catch from Carey after a daring run back at point.
Seamer Nathan Ellis showcased his renowned defensive skills, conceding only 51 runs in his 10 overs, marking him as the only bowler with an economy under six.
England feared letting a strong position slip, reminiscent of their previous performance against Australia at Trent Bridge last September. But Duckett held firm, hammering a series of boundaries off Johnson to secure his third ODI century.
He celebrated with a punch in the air, yet maintained focus despite evident fatigue. Duckett’s brilliant innings concluded in the 48th over when he was trapped lbw by Labuschagne’s legspin, preferred to Johnson at the death, finishing with figures of 2 for 41 off five overs.
Archer unleashed a flurry of runs towards the end, but his spirits dampened later in the evening.
Tristan Lavalette is a journalist based in Perth