NEW DELHI: In an electrifying encounter at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, Australia pulled off a record-breaking chase to defeat England by 5 wickets in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Englandโs Impressive Total
England, batting first, posted a formidable total of 351/8 in their 50 overs. Ben Duckett was the standout performer, scoring a magnificent 165 off 143 balls, including 17 fours and 3 sixes. Joe Root provided strong support with 68 runs off 78 balls.
Australiaโs bowlers had a challenging day, with Ben Dwarshuis being the pick of the bowlers, taking 3 wickets for 66 runs in his 10 overs. Adam Zampa and Marnus Labuschagne chipped in with 2 wickets each, but Englandโs total seemed daunting.
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Australiaโs Historic Chase
In response, Australia got off to a shaky start, losing Travis Head and Steve Smith early. However, Matthew Short and Marnus Labuschagne steadied the ship with crucial contributions of 63 and 47 runs, respectively. The turning point came when Josh Inglis and Alex Carey formed a match-winning partnership. Inglis played a sensational innings, scoring an unbeaten 120 off 86 balls, while Carey added 69 runs off 63 balls.
Australiaโs aggressive batting and key partnerships ultimately led them to victory, with Glenn Maxwell providing the finishing touches with a quickfire 32 off 15 balls. Inglis sealed the win with a six, marking Australiaโs highest successful chase in ICC events.
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Englandโs Bowling Woes
Englandโs bowlers struggled to contain the Australian batsmen, with Jofra Archer and Mark Wood conceding 82 and 75 runs, respectively. Despite early breakthroughs, Englandโs bowling attack lacked the consistency needed to defend their total.
Englandโs loss can be attributed to their inability to maintain pressure on the Australian batsmen. Despite setting a massive total, their bowlers failed to capitalize on early wickets and allowed Australia to build crucial partnerships. The lack of consistency and control in their bowling attack, especially during the death overs, proved costly.
Australiaโs remarkable chase showcased their batting depth and resilience. Josh Inglisโ heroics, combined with key contributions from Matthew Short, Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey, and Glenn Maxwell ensured a historic victory. England, despite a strong batting performance, will need to address their bowling issues to succeed in future matches.
