Champions Trophy | Inglis helps Australia pull off record chase

Josh Inglis couldn’t have asked for a better start to the Champions Trophy as his maiden ODI century helped Australia get off to a flying start with a five-wicket win against England. This was also the highest successful run chase in men’s ICC ODI events.

Records tumbled at the Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday as Ben Duckett (165, 143b, 17x4, 3x6) registered the highest individual score in the history of the tournament to guide England to 351 for eight, before Inglis (120 n.o., 86b, 8x4, 6x6) came to Australia’s rescue.

Anticipating dew later in the evening, Steve Smith put the opposition in, and even though England batters toyed with the opposition bowlers early on, Australia had the last laugh.

With heavy dew settling in as the evening progressed, the England bowlers struggled to build on the pressure, allowing Inglis to forge a 146-run stand for the fifth wicket with Alex Carey. While Inglis played a flawless innings, Carey got a reprieve at 49 as Jofra Archer dropped a regulation catch.

That, eventually, proved to be the turning point of the game as Carey and Inglis took things in their stride, before Brydon Carse removed the former.

However, a calm Inglis partnered with the seasoned Glenn Maxwell, who chipped in with an unbeaten 15-ball-32 cameo to guide the team home. As a packed stadium chanted his name, Inglis sealed the deal with a six over deep mid-wicket off Mark Wood.

While it was a steady start by Australia with Matthew Short bringing up a fifty, things could have gone haywire for the side had Inglis and Carey not stepped up at a time when the team was suddenly struggling at 136 for four.

As the Australian camp gave a standing ovation to Inglis for his incredible effort, it was heartbreak for England and Duckett. The left-hander dominated the first innings, became the sixth centurion of the tournament, and added 158 runs with Joe Root to guide England to a massive total.

Despite being on course for a 400-run total, England failed to breach the 360-run mark, which eventually hurt the side, and brightened Australia’s chances of making the semifinals.

The scores: England 351/8 in 50 overs (Duckett 165, Root 68; Dwarshuis 3/66) lost to Australia 356/5 in 47.3 overs (Inglis not out 120, Carey 69, Short 63).

Published - February 22, 2025 11:20 pm IST