In their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opening at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, Australia outscored their bitter rivals England by five wickets thanks to a brilliant showing. Thanks to Josh Inglis’ outstanding century, the Australians made it seem easy as they chased a total of 352, accomplishing it in just 47.3 overs with five wickets.
After being put into bat by Australia, England set a new record for the highest team total in Champions Trophy history with a score of 351/8 in their 50 overs. Ben Duckett initiated the assault with a score of 165 from 143 balls, which broke records previously held by Andy Flower and Nathan Astle and became the greatest individual score in the tournament’s history.
Joe Root provided crucial support with a 78-ball 68, but apart from Jofra Archer’s late cameo (21* off 10), England’s middle and lower order failed to fire. The likes of Jos Buttler, Harry Brook, and Liam Livingstone struggled to capitalize on the wicket. For Australia, Ben Dwarshuis was the pick of the bowlers, picking up 3/66, while Adam Zampa and Marnus Labuschagne chipped in with two wickets each to contain the Three Lions’ batting line-up.
In reply, the Aussies lost Travis Head (6) and Steve Smith (5) under five overs. However,
Matthew Short (63 off 66) and Labuschagne (47 off 45) steadied the ship before Josh Inglis arrived and took the game away from Buttler & Co.
The wicketkeeper-batter played a classical innings, smashing an unbeaten 120 off just 86 balls, laced with eight fours and six sixes. Alex Carey (69 off 63) held on the other end very well and stitched a 146-run partnership with Inglis which put Australia in complete control.
Glenn Maxwell’s unbeaten 32* off 15 balls in the end ensured victory with 15 balls to spare. England’s bowlers failed to make an impact on the flat Lahore surface. Archer, Mark Wood, Brydon Carse, Adil Rashid, and Liam Livingstone picked up a wicket each, but none could stop Australian batters.
Check out how ‘X’ reacted to Australia’s win over England in Lahore
This is Peak ODI Cricket…!!!
Uffff what a run chase by Aussies…!!!
This match is for those who says ODI’s are boring 🥶 #AUSvENG #ENGvsAUS #ENGvAUS #AUSvsENG pic.twitter.com/E1cetBK2jR— Suraj (@SunitaK97720452) February 22, 2025
Ben Duckett scores 165.. England scored 351
Still Ended up Losing 🫠
Record Breaking Chase.. why does it have to be Freakin Aussies again 😒#AUSvENG #EngvAus #ChampionsTrophy2025 pic.twitter.com/JA7Qj3Qa7q
— innocent (@xdpqd) February 22, 2025
Maxwell on crease first time ever in Pakistan.#ChampionsTrophy2025 #CT2025 #ENGvAUS #Maxwell pic.twitter.com/k6QiBI5WZX
— Aman Yadav (@Amanofficial172) February 22, 2025
Never count Australia out , specially in ICC tournaments . What a chase !! #ChampionsTrophy2025 #ENGvsAUS
— Shreevats goswami (@shreevats1) February 22, 2025
To be fair that’s an incredible chase by the Aussies .. #ChampionsTrophy2025
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 22, 2025
Even without some of their senior players, Australia has shown their strength.
A wonderful inning by Josh Inglis and Alex Carey
Sympathy with Ben Duckett#ChampionsTrophy2025 #ENGvsAUS #AUSVENG— Junaid khan (@JunaidkhanREAL) February 22, 2025
Never
Ever
Count out Australia
Especially in ICC Events 👏 #ChampionTrophy2025— S.Badrinath (@s_badrinath) February 22, 2025
English: 0
Inglis: 1A brilliant 💯 by Josh and look who’s at the other end! 😍#JoshInglis #ENGvAUS #ChampionsTrophy pic.twitter.com/MvJmF2f7fK
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) February 22, 2025