Cricket: Australia beat England by five wickets
England 351-8 (50 overs) Australia 356-5 (47.3 overs)
England’s Champions Trophy campaign got off to a disastrous start as Australia pulled off a remarkable chase of 352, cancelling out Ben Duckett’s superb 165 in Lahore.
Opener Duckett helped England post 351-8 – the highest total in Champions Trophy history – but Josh Inglis stole the show with a stunning unbeaten 120 off just 86 balls, steering Australia to victory with five wickets in hand and 15 balls to spare.
It was the highest total England have ever failed to defend in one-day internationals, made even more painful by the fact they had their fierce rivals struggling at 136-4 at one stage.
From there, Yorkshire-born Inglis, batting at number five, shared a crucial 146-run stand in 116 balls with Alex Carey, dragging Australia back into contention.
Carey, who was given a lifeline when dropped on 49, eventually fell for 69 with 70 still needed from 51 deliveries, but Inglis took control.
He punished England’s bowlers with six sixes – the third bringing up his maiden ODI century in 77 balls, and the last sealing the highest successful run chase in a global 50-over tournament.
England’s failure to make the most of being 200-2 after 30 overs on a flat batting track – which only got better under the lights – will add to their frustration.
Jos Buttler’s side now face a must-win situation in their remaining two group-stage matches against Afghanistan on Wednesday and South Africa next Saturday if they are to secure a semi-final spot.
England's poor ODI form continues.
If England’s confidence was already fragile after four straight series defeats and 10 losses in their last 14 ODIs, this result will feel like a gut punch.
Ben Duckett did exactly what England have been crying out for—batting with responsibility—but their failure to push on to an even bigger total proved costly, and Josh Inglis made them pay.
Yes, the arrival of dew under the lights made batting easier, but England didn’t help themselves.
Brydon Carse was taken apart, conceding 69 runs in just seven overs, exposing their lack of bowling depth. Jofra Archer then dropped a sitter that would have removed Alex Carey at a crucial moment.
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At that point, Australia still needed 104 from 73 balls, and the game was in the balance. But Archer’s mistake was followed by more punishment—he was hit for back-to-back fours in the next over.
To make matters worse, Archer thought he had Glenn Maxwell caught late in the chase, only for the decision to be overturned because of a waist-high no-ball. By then, though, the damage was done—Australia needed just 11 to win.
England now stay in Lahore for Wednesday’s must-win clash against Afghanistan, who were hammered by South Africa on Friday. Lose that, and their tournament is as good as over.
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