Duckett's Ton in vain as Australia Stuns England- England vs Australia The ICC Champions Trophy 2025

 File: Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis, and Mark Wood credits-ICC

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 4th match is played between England and Australia at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore on February 22nd, 2025. It was a high-scoring game and as expected, a full house turned out for this epic encounter. In this article, we will discuss the Significance of the match, Game-changing moments, Top performances, and the final results.

Significance of the Match

England and Australia are placed in Group B alongside South Africa and Afghanistan, Whereas the top two teams will qualify for the Semifinals. South Africa is at the top of the group with two points after beating Afghanistan comprehensively. So, In the context of The qualification for the Semi-Finals, this match was very important for both teams. Both the teams wanted to start the tournament on a positive note. It was expected to be a cracker of a game as Australia and England both are heavyweights in world cricket right now. The crowd was not disappointed at all as both the teams produced a top-quality game where everyone witnessed some high-quality performances from both sides.

Team News

After missing out on key players Australia selected Spencer Johnson, Nathan Elis, and Ben Duwarshuis as front-line pacers for this match. They had Josh Inglis and Alex Carrey also in their lower middle order. England selected Jamie Smith at their top order.

    Photo: Nathan Elis credit-ICC

1st Innings and Key Moments

England won the toss and they elected to bat first on a track that was looking like a belter of a wicket. Australia struck early as Alex Carey took a stunner at mid-on to send back Phil Salt. Jamie Smith joined Ben Duckett as both the batters started to score runs freely. It was a very good surface and the ball was coming onto the bat very nicely. So, both the English batters keeping in mind the dew factor and conditions tried to build some momentum and played some aggressive shots. Jamie Smith also departed in the 6th over at the team's total of 43 in an attempt to play aggressive shots. 

Joe Root and Ben Duckett started to build a partnership. Both the batters took Aussie inexperienced bowlers to the cleaners on a track that had nothing for the bowlers. They took their team's total to 200 in just 30th over. In the process, both of them completed their quick-fire fifties. Adman Zampa pinged Joe Root LBW at the score of 201 and provided the Aussies the much-needed breakthrough. On the other hand, Ben Duckett continued playing his shots as he kept England on course for a big total. 

He completed his hundred as England approached three hundred. Although the Aussies got some quick wickets Ben Duckett held the other end and made sure that they would have the advantage at the halfway stage. England scored 351/8 in their allocated 50 overs, courtesy of a magnificent knock by Ben Duckett who scored 165 off 143 balls. Ben Duwarshuis was the pick of the bowler as he got 3/66 in his 10 overs.

    Photo: Ben Duckett credit-ICC

                    

2nd Innings and Key Moments

While chasing a big total of 352 Aussie batters started aggressively and started playing their shots. Travis Head departs early as Jofra Archer strikes with a caught and bowled. At the score of 27 Steve Smith was also sent back to the pavilion. Marnus Labuschagne joined Mathew Short and started to build again for Aussies. Despite losing earlier wickets Aussie batters decided to charge at the bowlers to put them under pressure. Mathew Short and Marnus Labuschagne played some top-quality shots as the Aussies completed their 100 in just 16 overs. 

The spin introduction resulted in a breakthrough for England as Adil Rashid dismissed Marnus. He made 47 off just 45 balls. On the other hand, Mathew Short completed his quick-fire fifty before he was caught and bowled by Livingstone at a total of 136 in the 23rd over. 

Josh Inglis and Alex Carey started to rebuild the innings which was going nowhere at that time as Aussies were reduced to 136 for 4. Although the wickets were tumbling Aussies kept the required rate under control as they bashed the English bowlers. Both batted aggressively and kept the English team under pressure. They took Aussies to the sight of the victory as Inglis completed his fabulous ton whereas Carey completed his run a ball fifty. Although England got rid of Alex Carey it was too late as Maxwell and Inglis kept the Aussie dominance as they completed the record run chase in The ICC events in the 48th over and beat England by 5 wickets.

    Photo: Josh Inglis and Glenn Maxwell

Top Performers of the Match

1st Innings

• Ben Duckett scored 165 off 143 balls
• Joe Root scored 68 off 78 balls
• Ben Duwarshuis got 3 for 66 runs.

2nd Innings

• Josh Inglis scored 120 off 86 balls
• Alex Carrey scored 66 off just 63 balls
• Mathew Short Scored 63 off 66 balls

Who was the Player of the Match?

Josh Inglis was handed a well-deserved Man of the Match award for his match-winning ton of 120 off just 86 balls. He played a high-quality knock with his fearsome hitting and completed the run chase at ease.

    Photo: Josh Inglis credits-ICC

What the match is won? 

The partnership of 146 off just 116 balls between Josh Inglis and Alex Carey for the 5th wicket while chasing 352 was the moment when the match drifted towards the Aussies. That was a great partnership they not only saved the wickets but also scored runs at 7+ runs per over. The most important thing about that partnership was that it was in the middle phase of the innings between over no. 22 and over no. 42. 

What's next for both Teams?

Now Australia will face South Africa on February 25, 2025, at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, whereas England will face Afghanistan at Gaddafi Stadium on February 26, 2025.

So, What are your thoughts on Who will win the ICC Champions Trophy 2025? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.