Australia stun England in epic chase

TDT | Agencies
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• Australia chased down 352 to beat England
• Duckett scored 165 for England
• Inglis smashed an unbeaten 120

England’s Champions Trophy campaign began with a devastating defeat as Australia pulled off an epic chase of 352 to counter Ben Duckett’s 165 in Lahore.

Opener Duckett took England to 351-8, the highest score in Champions Trophy history, only for Josh Inglis to hit a sensational 120 not out from 86 balls, completing the chase with five wickets and 15 balls to spare.

This chase of 352 is the highest successful run chase in a global 50-over tournament, surpassing previous records.

This marked the highest score England has failed to defend in one-day internationals, made worse by the fact they had their old rivals at 136-4 at one stage. From there, Inglis, Australia’s number five born and raised in Yorkshire, put on 146 in 116 balls with Alex Carey to drag his side back into the contest. Carey, having been dropped on 49, was caught for 69 with 70 runs needed from 51 balls, and Inglis took charge.

He flogged England for six sixes, the third bringing up his first ODI century in 77 balls and the sixth sealing the highest successful chase in a global 50-over tournament. It compounded fears that England failed to capitalize fully on being 200-2 after 30 overs on a fine batting pitch, a surface that only improved under the lights.

Jos Buttler’s England now has little room for maneuver in their final two group-stage fixtures against Afghanistan on Wednesday and South Africa next Saturday if they are to finish in the top two and reach the semi-finals. If England’s confidence was low given their form coming into the tournament—four series defeats in a row and losses in 10 of their past 14 ODIs—this will feel like a body blow.

Duckett batted in the responsible fashion many have asked of this side, but Inglis punished them for failing to kick on to an even bigger score. While the arrival of dew under the lights made batting easier, England did not help themselves. Brydon Carse was hit for 69 in seven overs, exposing England’s limited bowling options, and Jofra Archer dropped a simple catch to dismiss Carey.