Sat Feb 22 22:58:12 UTC 2025: ## Australia Stuns England in Champions Trophy Thriller

**Lahore, Pakistan** – Jos Inglis’ breathtaking 120 propelled Australia to a thrilling five-wicket victory over England in a high-scoring encounter at the Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday. Chasing a challenging 351, Australia chased down the target with 15 balls to spare in what is being hailed as one of the greatest run chases in ICC Champions Trophy history.

England, batting first, had posted their highest ever Champions Trophy total thanks to Ben Duckett’s stunning 165 – a masterful innings that ultimately proved insufficient. Joe Root also contributed a solid 68, but Ben Dwarshuis’ three wickets, including the key scalps of Phil Salt and Liam Livingstone, kept a lid on England’s late surge.

Australia’s chase was initially hampered by the loss of early wickets, but Inglis and Alex Carey (who fell late for a crucial contribution) steadied the ship with a magnificent 100-run partnership. Inglis’ innings, described by commentators as magnificent and possibly one of the greatest by an Australian in an ICC event, was a masterclass in controlled aggression. He punished loose deliveries while rotating the strike effectively, eventually reaching his century to deafening applause. Glenn Maxwell provided a late cameo to ensure Australia reached the target.

Despite Duckett’s outstanding individual performance, England’s bowling attack struggled to contain the Australian onslaught, particularly in the face of a rising dew factor which made the ball skid on nicely. England’s captain, Jos Buttler, admitted post-match that the bowling strategy after a certain point became unclear, highlighting the team’s struggles with the death bowling and the handling of pressure situations. This loss adds another layer of disappointment to England’s recent struggles in the ODI format, following a 0-3 whitewash against India.

The victory is a huge boost for Australia, who have recently endured disappointing series defeats against Sri Lanka and Pakistan. The match was a classic Champions Trophy clash, full of dramatic moments, individual brilliance, and ultimately, a resounding Australian triumph. The result leaves England with serious questions to answer regarding their ODI strategy and approach as they now grapple with the consequences of their disappointing performance.

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