Champions Trophy 2025: Josh Inglis’ Unbeaten 120 Inspires Australia to Record-Breaking Chase Against England

Ben Duckett delivered the clinical edge England desperately needed with a record-breaking 165-run innings. However, his brilliance was overshadowed as Josh Inglis dismantled a below-par England pace attack, guiding Australia to the highest successful chase in men’s ICC tournament history.

In Lahore’s first ICC event match since March 1996, batters ruled the Champions Trophy thriller, leaving bowlers with minimal room for error on a placid pitch.

Inglis Shines with Maiden ODI Ton as Australia Overhauls England’s Record Total

Mixing inventive strokes with powerful backfoot shots, England-born Josh Inglis struck his maiden ODI century, remaining unbeaten on 120 from 86 balls as Australia comfortably chased down the 352-run target in the 48th over. England’s bowlers struggled to cope with the dew under the lights, as Australia completed their second-highest successful ODI chase, trailing only their 359 for 6 against India in Mohali (2019).

For England, it was a bitter setback, leaving them needing must-win matches against Afghanistan and South Africa. Despite Ben Duckett’s record-breaking 165 off 143 balls—the highest individual score in Champions Trophy history—England ultimately fell short with the bat. Duckett was ably supported by Joe Root’s fluent 68 during their 158-run third-wicket stand.

While no other English batter crossed 25, they still posted the tournament’s highest-ever total, capitalizing on Australia’s inexperienced bowling attack—their least seasoned at an ICC ODI event since 1983. The Aussies were notably without frontline pacers Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc, as well as all-round options Cameron Green, Mitchell Marsh, and Marcus Stoinis.

Australia Overcomes Early Setbacks as Short and Labuschagne Steady Chase

Despite the flat pitch and Australia’s deep batting line-up, the result was far from certain. Their innings mirrored England’s with two early wickets during the powerplay, as Travis Head and stand-in captain Steven Smith departed cheaply.

Head, who had previously smashed a memorable century at a 50-over ICC event, managed just 6 runs before miscuing a shot off the toe-end of his bat, resulting in a sharp return catch for Jofra Archer. Smith soon followed, edging a hard-length delivery from a fiery Mark Wood—who consistently clocked speeds of 150 kph—to slip.

However, Matthew Short and Marnus Labuschagne steadied the innings with a crucial 95-run partnership, capitalizing on the wayward bowling of Brydon Carse. Short, overcoming a lean patch, adeptly used the pace of England’s quicks, while Labuschagne provided stability. England briefly clawed back momentum through a superb bowling spell from leg-spinner Adil Rashid, aided by Liam Livingstone, which temporarily put the brakes on Australia’s scoring.

Inglis Leads Australia’s Charge After Middle-Order Wobble

Australia stumbled to 136 for 4 as frustration got the better of Marnus Labuschagne, who lofted a 70 kph legbreak from Adil Rashid straight to cover, while Matthew Short (63) offered a return catch to Liam Livingstone.

However, Rashid’s removal after a tidy six-over spell allowed Josh Inglis and Alex Carey to regain momentum. Both batters, fresh off counterattacking Test centuries against Sri Lanka, took advantage of England’s faltering pace attack. Carey reached his half-century, albeit with a touch of fortune when Jofra Archer dropped a straightforward catch at deep midwicket. Inglis capitalized, hammering consecutive boundaries off Archer as England’s grip loosened.

Just as Australia appeared to be cruising, Carey departed to Brydon Carse with 70 runs still required from 50 balls. Unfazed, Inglis powered his way to a stylish century, launching Archer over the ropes to underline his dominance.

Inglis Seals Memorable Win as Underdog Australia Stuns England

Glenn Maxwell’s explosive cameo set the stage before Josh Inglis fittingly sealed Australia’s remarkable victory with a six, capping off a stunning triumph for the World Cup holders—whose title prospects had been largely dismissed before the tournament.

Stand-in skipper Steven Smith opted to bowl first, banking on the dew factor under lights. Australia, notably missing their big three pacers for the first time at an ICC event in nine years, fielded a significantly weakened attack that faced immediate pressure on a batting-friendly pitch.

Though Mitchell Starc was absent, Australia still deployed an aggressive left-arm duo with Spencer Johnson—sporting a fresh haircut minus his trademark golden locks—and Ben Dwarshuis sharing the new ball. Dwarshuis, selected over Sean Abbott for specific match-up advantages, struck twice early on, though both dismissals stemmed more from England’s rash shot selection than bowling brilliance.

England’s Batting Reshuffle Falters Early Despite Duckett-Root Recovery

England’s revamped batting order stumbled early, with their aggressive approach backfiring. Phil Salt fell in the second over, failing to clear the on-side boundary as Alex Carey took a sensational one-handed catch—his first-ever in ODI cricket as an outfielder—justifying the decision to let Josh Inglis retain wicketkeeping duties.

All eyes were on Jamie Smith, promoted to No. 3 for the first time in international cricket and only his second time in List A matches. He showed promise with a couple of elegant cover drives but soon perished to a straightforward catch by Carey. England found themselves in early trouble at 43 for 2.

However, Ben Duckett and Joe Root steadied the ship, capitalizing on errant bowling from Spencer Johnson and Ben Dwarshuis. Duckett, initially cautious, accelerated with a boundary off the final ball of the powerplay, guiding England to 73 for 2.

Smith introduced spin after the fielding restrictions eased, but the pitch offered little assistance. Duckett and Root rotated the strike with ease against the conservative tactics that saw Australia deploy four boundary sweepers.

Duckett’s Heroics Anchor England as Zampa, Ellis Lead Australia’s Fightback

Ben Duckett showcased his refined down-the-ground hitting by targeting Glenn Maxwell and stylishly reached his half-century with a horizontal bat shot off Spencer Johnson.

At the other end, Joe Root appeared untroubled, skillfully maneuvering the field rather than relying on boundaries. He reached his fifty off 56 balls and seemed poised to end his ODI century drought dating back to the 2019 World Cup as England eyed a total in the high 300s.

However, Adam Zampa turned the tide with a tight spell. Root, attempting a rare sweep, was trapped lbw after an unsuccessful review. Zampa’s subtle variations soon accounted for Harry Brook, who fell to another stunning catch from Alex Carey—this time a diving effort running backward at point.

Nathan Ellis complemented Zampa’s efforts with disciplined bowling, conceding just 51 runs in his 10 overs—the only bowler with an economy below six.

Despite fears of squandering a strong platform, as they had against Australia at Trent Bridge last September, Duckett remained composed. He hammered consecutive boundaries off Johnson to notch his third ODI century, celebrating with a fist pump despite clear fatigue. His stellar knock finally ended in the 48th over when Marnus Labuschagne, preferred over Johnson at the death, trapped him lbw to finish with 2 for 41.

Jofra Archer provided late fireworks with the bat, but his joy would be short-lived later in the match.

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