Australia emerged victorious in a breathtaking encounter against England at the Champions Trophy opener, chasing down a formidable target of 352 runs with remarkable poise. The match, held in Lahore, saw Ben Duckett's scintillating innings of 165 runs for England overshadowed by Australia's Josh Inglis, who scored an unbeaten 120 off 86 balls. Inglis's stellar performance led Australia to a five-wicket triumph with 15 balls to spare, marking a significant start to their campaign.
England set a daunting score of 351-8, the highest they have achieved in any global 50-over event, largely due to Ben Duckett's responsible and commanding innings. Duckett's 165 was not only his highest in a global tournament but also a testament to his growing prowess in the international arena. Despite England's robust total, it was Australia's day as Inglis, born and raised in Yorkshire, turned the tables on his former homeland with a masterclass in batting.
The match unfolded with England captain Jos Buttler expressing satisfaction with their innings total but acknowledging that they could have capitalized further given their strong position. He praised Duckett's performance, recognizing it as a long-awaited display of brilliance. However, England's inability to defend their highest one-day international score was exploited by Australia's strategic chase.
"Ben Duckett played brilliantly. He's been threatening to do that for a long time. I'm delighted for him but it's a shame it was in a losing cause." – Jos Buttler
Inglis's innings was a spectacle of power and precision, hitting six sixes off England's bowlers. His century came off just 77 balls, showcasing his ability to accelerate the scoring rate when required. Partnering with Alex Carey, Inglis put together a crucial partnership of 146 runs in just 116 balls, pulling Australia back into contention after England seemed to have gained control.
"I'm over the moon. We knew it was going to be tough coming up against England. It always is. Coming up against 350, a lot of things have to go right to chase that down." – Josh Inglis
The match's turning point came with Inglis and Carey's partnership, which dismantled England's bowling attack and shifted the momentum firmly in Australia's favor. Inglis showed little sympathy for his birthplace as he methodically dismantled England's lead, demonstrating his adaptability and mental fortitude on the international stage.
"Really pumped on a personal level, but for the guys out there it's a great performance. This gives us a lot of confidence in a short sharp tournament." – Josh Inglis
England's bowlers struggled to contain Australia's aggressive chase, despite having a formidable score to defend. Josh Inglis's assault left them with few answers as he consistently found gaps and cleared boundaries with ease. His unyielding performance earned him the Player of the Match accolade, highlighting his crucial role in Australia's victory.
While Ben Duckett's innings should not be overlooked, as it provided England with a competitive edge and showcased his talent on the world stage, it ultimately fell short of securing a win for his team. Duckett's performance was praised widely and is seen as a stepping stone for future successes in his career.
Leave a Reply