In a record-breaking run-chase against England at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Australia prevailed by five wickets with 15 deliveries to spare, setting the tone for their Champions Trophy 2025 campaign.
After England lost a few early wickets in the powerplay, Ben Duckett and Joe Root formed an essential combination. Duckett was only removed at the latter end of the innings after continuing to score 165. One of the primary reasons his team reached 351 in the first innings was his stunning knock off 143 deliveries. Ben Dwarshuis managed to take three wickets.
In contrast to their opponents, Australia’s opening to the second innings followed a similar pattern. Within the first ten overs, they also lost a few wickets. Matthew Short and Marnus Labuschagne remained together and made a vital stand for the third wicket. But in a brief period of time, both batters were out for 63 and 47, respectively. After they defeated the English everywhere, it was all about the Josh Inglis-Alex Carey show. With an undefeated score of 120, Inglis ultimately stayed at the crease till the very end.
Key Takeaways from Champions Trophy 2025 Match 4:
1. Ben Duckett gives an incredible performance
Perhaps the only batter in the English lineup who appeared to be comfortable with the circumstances and the opposition bowling assault was the daring southpaw. He also achieved his 165 at a respectable pace. The knock, which included three maximums and seventeen fours, was magnificent.
2. Josh Inglis establishes dominance with an incredible first ODI century
The Australian batsman-wicketkeeper demonstrated to the cricket community why he should continue to be included in the 50-over squad. He persevered through the run-chase and scored his first century in the format in 26 innings with a superbly paced stroke.
3. Monuments fall to the left and right.
As previously stated, Australia’s 352-run chase was the most successful chase in ICC ODI competitions. In addition, it was the highest-ever successful chase against England, the second-highest successful chase by Australia, the second-highest successful chase on Pakistani soil, and the greatest total in the Champions Trophy (batting first or second).
Who Said What?
Losing skipper, Jos Buttler
Fantastic game, both sides played really well. We put on a really good score there. Credit to Australia. Fantastic innings there from Josh Inglis to see his side home. I think 350 you would take that at the start. pretty good score. Dew was a worry and it was wet. Whatever happens with the conditions, to chase down 350 is a fantastic effort. He (Duckett) played brilliantly. He’s been brilliant at the top of the order in all the formats. He can be incredibly consistent in this format.
Delighted for him with the way he played. Just a shame it is in a losing cause. Rather focus on partnerships than individuals. Take the focus off yourself and work on getting those big partnerships. Root and Duckett did that. I thought those two (Root and Livingstone) bowled really well today. They created chances. Credit to Australia. We tried to find ways to break that partnership Inglis and Carey earlier but just couldn’t manage it. Sometimes you have to give credit to the opposition. Absolutely (confident), immense belief in the guys.
Winning skipper, Steve Smith
I thought the guys were outstanding from the outset. Short played beautifully up top. Travis and I were the only two to miss out and the middle order did a tremendous job. Really pleased. Regardless of what team we have, we would have bowled first knowing how wet it got when we trained the other night and this evening. Looked easiest to bat at the back end. I thought it slowed up in the end in the first innings and I thought 350 was chaseable.
For a moment it looked like they were probably gonna get over 400, we were pleased by that effort and knew we could chase this if we batted 50 overs. Trusting each others’ skills, boys did a really good job, took pace off at the right times, hit hard lengths and controlled at the back end of the game. Marnus bowled nicely at the back end. The two keepers have been batting beautifully for a while now. They are both in great form. Josh hits the ball all along the ground and has all the shots, Was an amazing effort from Inglis and Alex played beautifully as well. Really pleased with the team effort.
Player of the Match, Josh Inglis
Over the moon, great win. We knew it was going to be tough coming up against England, it always is. 350 – a lot of things have to go right to chase that down. Really pumped on a personal level. For the guys out there, it was a great performance. There wasn’t too much (talk) at the halftime. We’d done a lot of talking before the game. We knew that second half here is going to be tough with all the dew. it’s quite wet now. It was always going to be better for us batting second.
He (Carey) doesn’t really say anything when he bats, just a few words here and there. I was trying not to look at the scoreboard too much. We were going so well that we just need to keep chipping away. We knew with Maxi still in the sheds, there’d always be a chance. I still think that their part-time options are very handy, Livi and Rooty have bowled a lot in international cricket, you can’t not respect their bowling. I tried to be proactive. At the back end, we knew it’d skid on nicely. Short, sharp tournament, to go 1 from 1 is really important, we’ll recover and look forward to the next game.
India
