Josh Inglis’s incredible ton powers Australia to seal record win over England

LAHORE: Josh Inglis’s fiery unbeaten century guided Australia to a commanding 5-wicket victory over England in their Champions Trophy 2025 clash at the Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.

Chasing a formidable target of 352, Australia’s innings got off to a shaky start. Opener Travis Head was the first to depart, scoring just 6 off 5 deliveries. Captain Steven Smith followed soon after, contributing only 5 off 6 balls.

However, opener Matthew Short and middle-order batter Marnus Labuschagne steadied the ship, scoring 63 and 47, respectively.

Josh Inglis played a scintillating innings, amassing 120 runs off just 86 balls, featuring eight boundaries and an impressive six sixes.

Alex Carey supported with a solid knock of 69 off 63 balls, featuring 8 boundaries, while Glenn Maxwell remained not out on 32 off 15 balls.

Earlier, Ben Duckett scored 165 as England set a 352-run target for Australia.

After being put to bat first, England faced an early setback as Phil Salt was dismissed in the second over of their inning.

His opening partner Ben Duckett was then joined by wicketkeeping batter Jamie Smith, however, he too departed early in the inning, leaving England struggling at 43/2 in 5.2 overs.

Experienced batter Joe Root and Duckett then stitched a 158-run partnership to put England in a commanding position in their opening game of the Champions Trophy 2025.

England reached 201 in 30.5 overs before Root was dismissed after a well-made 68 off 78 balls.

Right-handed batter Harry Brook joined Duckett who completed his ton in the 32nd over by hitting two consecutive fours off Australian pacer Spencer Johnson.

Adam Zampa dismissed Brook shortly after as Alex Carey grabbed a stunning catch, with the scoreboard showing 219/4 in 34.1 overs.

Following his dismissal, England captain Jos Buttler arrived at the crease, however, he did not last long as Glenn Maxwell dismissed him in the 41st over, reducing England to five down on 280.

Buttler made 23 off 21 in his short stay at the crease during their game against Australia at the Champions Trophy 2025.

Liam Livingstone’s 14-run knock ended as pacer Ben Dwarshuis picked up his third wicket in the game.

Ben Duckett’s inning finally ended in the 48th over when he was caught before wickets by Marnus Labuschagne.

The left-handed batter departed after scoring 165 off 143 balls with the help of 17 fours and three sixes.

Jofra Archer remained unbeaten on 20 off 10 as England put 351/8 in their 50 overs.

Australia Playing XI: Travis Head, Matthew Short, Steve Smith (c), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (wk), Alex Carey, Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson

England Playing XI: Ben Duckett, Phil Salt, Jamie Smith (wk), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (c), Liam Livingstone, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood

The two sides have faced off in five games in the previous edition of the Champions Trophy.

England have the upper hand, having won three games while Australia triumphed in two matches.

Pertinent to note here the teams are divided into two groups for the initial stage of the Champions Trophy 2025.

Each team will play three group-stage matches, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semi-finals.

Group A of the Champions Trophy 2025 consists of Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and New Zealand, while Group B includes Afghanistan, England, Australia, and South Africa.