Champions Trophy: Josh Inglis’ 77-ball ton helps Australia chase down England’s 352

LAHORE: Josh Inglis’s blazing century pipped Ben Duckett’s 165 as Australia overpowered England in the fourth match of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 at Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.

Australia chased down the mammoth total of 352 runs in 47.3 overs on losing five wickets.

The star of the match, Inglis, smoked six sixes and eight fours in his 86 balls 120* knock to reach the highest ODI chase in men’s ICC events.

Chasing a big total in the Champions Trophy opener for both teams, Matthew Short and Travis Head opened the innings for Australia.

The fast bowlers of England started well by removing dangerous batter Travis Head (6) and captain Steve Smith (5) in the third and fourth over, respectively. The duo of speedsters Jofra Archer and Mark Wood dismissed both.

After early inroads from England, the duo of Marnus Labuschagne and Short added 95 runs for the third wicket, which drove the Australia chase. Marnus (47) fell prey to Adil Rashid’s spin bowling in the 19th over, three runs short of his half-century when the team was cruising along on the score of 122 runs.

He hit five fours in his brisk knock while Short continued his stroke play and brought up his third ODI fifty, laced with nine fours and one six.

Soon after, he was caught and bowled by Liam Livingstone with a score of 63, opening the door for England.

Australia was 136 for 4 in 22.2 overs when the duo of Alex Carey (69) and Josh Inglis (120*) took charge of the chase. Both batters put on a stand of 146 runs off 116 balls to help Australia chase a formidable total.

Carey departed in the 41st over; entertaining innings included eight fours. With 70 runs required from 48 balls, the stage was set for Glenn Maxwell (32*) to play in his style. Conversely, Inglis continued his onslaught and brought up his blazing century on 77 balls.

The duo added a quick-fire stand of 74 runs on 36 balls to take Australia home in a record run chase. Maxwell hit two sixes and four elegant fours to secure a comfortable victory.

Adil Rashid was the pick of bowlers for England, taking one for 47 in his ten overs, while Liam Livingstone and Brydon Carse took one wicket each.

Josh Inglis was named as the Player of the Match for his knock.

After being put into the bat first, England scored 351 after losing eight wickets in their 50 overs.

Phil Salt and Ben Duckett opened the innings for England. Australia’s new-look bowling attack laid an early blow, removing Salt (10), who was caught off Ben Dwarshuis’s bowling, courtesy of Alex Carey’s stunning catch at mid-on.

Returning from an injury, young batter Jamie Smith (15) showed promise with do with three beautiful fours but couldn’t convert his start. England were 43 for 2 in 5.2 overs when the experienced batter Joe Root joined opener Duckett.

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The duo steadied the England innings and added 158 runs for the third wicket, taking the team out of trouble. Duckett and Root scored half-centuries. Root (68) was dismissed after scoring his 41st fifty. His composed innings included featured four beautiful boundaries.

After Root’s departure in the 30th over, England were well-placed at 201 for 3, setting the stage for an explosive finish with Harry Brook arriving at the crease.

However, in his debut ICC event, Ben Duckett was on full song with his brilliant stroke way. He reached his fourth ODI century in style with two consecutive boundaries in the 31st over, drawing applause from the packed Lahore crowd.

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Australia sensed a comeback against England after Brook’s (3) early departure, who was again caught by Carey’s blinder. But it was Ben Duckett who toiled Australian bowlers. He added a 61-run stand with captain Jos Butler (21) to take England near 300.

His innings, laced with three sixes and 17 elegant fours, ended in the 47th over. Following his ouster, Jofra Archa smashed 21 off 10 balls, hitting one six and two fours, helping England pass the 350 mark in the last over.

Dwarshuis was the pick of the bowlers for Australia, taking three wickets in his ten overs. Marnus Labuschagne and Adam Zampa contributed as well, bagging two wickets each.

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