Australia's Champions Trophy campaign kicked off with an exhilarating match against arch-rivals England, where they staged a remarkable comeback to secure victory by five wickets. Chasing England's formidable total of 351, Australia achieved the highest run chase ever recorded in ICC tournaments, wrapping up their innings with 15 balls to spare at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
Ben Duckett delivered a stunning performance for England, smashing 165 runs off 143 balls, marking the highest individual score in Champions Trophy history. His innings included 17 boundaries and three sixes. Duckett’s efforts were pivotal as he helped the English team achieve their own highest Champions Trophy score of 351-8.
Despite Duckett’s heroics, England's total turned out to be insufficient as Josh Inglis took charge of Australia's batting with his own spectacular century, finishing the game not out on 120 off just 86 balls. Inglis's aggressive innings included six sixes and several key boundaries, as he led his team to victory with assistance from fellow wicketkeeper Alex Carey, who chipped in with 69 runs.
The match began with drama as Australia, having chosen to bowl first after winning the toss, struggled during the Powerplay, losing both openers cheaply. The bowling attack, facing scrutiny after recent poor performances, seemed under pressure right from the start. England appeared to have the upper hand with their consistent scoring until Inglis came to the crease.
Following the dismissals of Travis Head and Steve Smith, Australia was under serious pressure, reeling at 4-135. But Inglis, with Carey at his side, orchestrated a remarkable recovery, putting together an invaluable partnership of 146 runs for the fifth wicket. Their ability to keep the scoreboard ticking, particularly as conditions favored batting later on, proved decisive.
England’s bowling attack faced significant challenges, with Brydon Carse struggling and Jofra Archer dropping pivotal catches at key moments. The failure to dismiss Inglis early was especially costly, and his performances drew praise from commentators and former players alike.
"Over the moon, I’m just really pumped," Inglis remarked during the post-match presentation. His impressive performance not only marked his career best but also established his position as one of the leading players for Australia. "Has he still got an English passport?" former England captain Michael Atherton humorously commented, reflecting on the irony of Inglis's success against the country of his birth.
The contest continued to ebb and flow, with Australia relying on their aggressive batting style under the night sky, which made conditions easier for scoring. Despite moments of ineptitude—most noticeably when Buttler's team misfielded and Archer's dropped catches—the ability to recover from early setbacks highlighted Australia’s composure and skill.
England's captain Jos Buttler expressed mixed feelings about the performance, acknowledging Duckett's outstanding innings yet lamenting the lack of contributions from other players. "We could have had more runs on the board with the position we were in," Buttler reflected on their innings.
This loss is particularly disheartening for England, who now face mounting pressure as they prepare to take on Afghanistan and South Africa—two matches which will be pivotal for their chances of advancing to the semi-finals. Having entered the tournament with four consecutive series defeats, this match was seen as both high stakes and high pressure for England.
Australia, now buoyed by their performance, will look to build momentum as they progress through the tournament. They will hope to carry their stunning victory against England forward as they eye another Champions Trophy title.
With this match, the rivalry between Australia and England once again showcased the drama and excitement of cricket, reminding fans why they are two of the most formidable teams on the world stage. Both teams will now focus on their next matches, but the thrill of this encounter will linger as they continue their pursuit of glory.