Australia made history on Saturday by achieving the highest-ever run chase at the ICC Champions Trophy, successfully pursuing England's imposing target of 352 runs to secure a five-wicket victory at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
The highlight of the day was undoubtedly Josh Inglis, who scored his maiden ODI century, remaining unbeaten on 120 runs off 86 balls. His stellar performance was complemented by support from Alex Carey (69 off 63) and Matthew Short (63 off 66), all of whom contributed significantly to overturn England's hefty score.
Australia found themselves on shaky ground early, losing captains Steve Smith and opener Travis Head to Jofra Archer and setting the score at 27 for two wickets by the 5th over. This pressured the middle order to respond quickly.
A resilient partnership between Matthew Short and Marnus Labuschagne (47 off 45) provided stability, but it was the explosive collaboration between Inglis and Carey, which yielded 146 runs off just 116 balls, which truly altered the course of the game. At one point, Australia looked like they could fall short, but Inglis's fearless shotmaking ensured they remained on track. His most impressive stretch came when he scored 32 runs off just 10 balls as he shifted gears with three consecutive sixes, elevishing his team's chances exponentially.
Despite setting England with the steep target, the opportunity seemed direct for the team after Ben Duckett's spectacular innings of 165 runs, accompanied by Joe Root's solid 68. Their partnership of 158 for the third wicket set England to 351 for eight, marking it as the highest score recorded historically at the Champions Trophy.
Australia's bowling attack seemed underwhelming, especially without star players like Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood. Nevertheless, Ben Dwarshuis stood out with 3 wickets, aiding the squad's struggle to contain the English batting early on.
Both teams approached the game with cautious optimism as the dew began to settle. The moist conditions late in the game changed the dynamics of the match, giving the chasing team the edge. After Carey's dismissal, shockwaves ran through the Australian camp; they needed 70 runs off the last 50 balls, but Glenn Maxwell entered the fray, hitting some quick boundaries to pave the way for victory.
“I was over the moon, obviously. Great win. We knew it’s tough to come up against England,” Inglis stated post-match, reflecting on the pressure of chasing such a large score.
This match was more than just about runs and wickets; it spoke of resilience and determination. Inglis, after achieving his milestone, emphatically stated he didn’t focus much on the scoreboard but rather remained intent on partnerships, emphasizing the importance of players coming together to secure wins.
After the match, skipper Steve Smith expressed pride, highlighting the struggles his team faced but thanking the guys for stepping up collectively to deliver the win. He noted, “I think regardless of the team we had, we would have bowled first because of the dew. It was significant.”
England's captain, Jos Buttler, acknowledged Australia's prowess, stating, “Fantastic innings from Josh Inglis to see his side home. I think 350, you would take at the start, pretty good score.”
The match will be remembered not just for its record-setting theme but for the intense competitive spirit displayed by both teams, setting the tone for upcoming matches.
With their laughter echoing through the field, the Australian team now shifts focus to their next opponent, South Africa, on February 25, with raised expectations following this monumental win.