Record highest successful chase ever in any ICC 50-overs event; Inglis remains not out on 120 off just 86 balls from which he hit eight fours and six sixes as Australia chased down 352 with 15 balls to spare
Lahore: Australia rode on Josh Inglis’ unbeaten century to beat England by five wickets to record the highest successful chase ever in any ICC 50-overs event, during their Champions Trophy match here on Saturday. Inglis remained not out on 120 off just 86 balls from which he hit eight fours and six sixes as Australia chased down the target of 352 with 15 balls to spare.
Opener Matthew Short and Alex Carey contributed 63 and 69 respectively while Marnus Labuschagne made 47 as Australia reached 356 for 5 in 47.3 overs.
Earlier, a magnificent 165 from opening batter Ben Duckett powered England to 351 for 8. Duckett’s 143-ball commanding innings was studded with 17 fours and three sixes, while Joe Root contributed 68 after England were asked to bat first.
For Australia, Ben Dwarshuis took three wickets for 66 runs while Adam Zampa and Marnus Labuschagne chipped in with two each. Earlier, Ben Duckett struck a magnificent career-best 165 to power England to 351 for 8 against Australia in their Champions Trophy Group B opening match here on Saturday.
England, after being sent in to bat, were in early trouble at 43/2 inside the powerplay, but Duckett stood tall, first stitching a 158-run stand with Joe Root (68) and later forging a crucial 61-run partnership with skipper Jos Buttler (23 off 21 balls).
After his dismissal in the 48th over, Jofra Archer smashed two fours and one six in his 10-ball 21 not-out to prop up the total past the 350 mark. Duckett’s innings was meticulously planned, blending patience with aggression.
He started confidently, taking on Glenn Maxwell with a charge-down six in just the second over, setting the tone for England’s recovery. Once settled, he rotated strike fluently with Root, allowing the innings to flow, before shifting gears in the latter half.
Duckett brought up his century off 95 balls with back-to-back boundaries off Spencer Johnson, marking his second ODI ton against Australia. The depleted Australian side struggled as their frontline spinner Adam Zampa was hit by Duckett all around the park.
