ISLAMABAD: Dew had a big role in Australia being able to surpass England in a huge chase, admitted Josh Inglis, as the 2023 World Cup champions got their Champions Trophy campaign off to a winning start, getting over the line rather comfortably in a high-scoring match at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
Ben Duckett’s 165 set a new record for the highest individual score in Champions Trophy history. England, batting first, posted an impressive 351/8, setting a tournament-high total at the time.
However, Australia responded with a remarkable chase, achieving the highest-ever run-chase in an ICC ODI tournament, despite limited contributions from Travis Head and Steve Smith. The victory was a team effort, led by Inglis, with crucial contributions from Matthew Short, Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey, and Glenn Maxwell, according to Cricbuzz.
Chasing big total
“I think 350 is a big total in any one-day game. But we sort of knew, we trained here at night for the last couple of days and it got dewy around 7.30 – 8 o’clock. So, we sort of knew that was in our favour during the run chase and if we could take it deep enough it would be tough for the bowlers at the back end. It made life easier for us, the wicket skidded on beautifully and it helped our run chase,” said Inglis at the post-match press conference.
Australia found themselves in a tough spot at 21/2, but Short (63) and Labuschagne (47) stabilised the innings with a vital 95-run partnership, setting the foundation for the chase. England fought back by dismissing both set batters, leaving Australia at 136/4.
However, Inglis, alongside Carey, reignited the chase with a game-changing 146-run stand off 116 balls. Their efforts reduced the required total from 216 off 166 balls to just 70 off 50, making Australia’s path to victory much clearer.
Equaling Sehwag’s record
At that point, Inglis was 79 off 65, and he raced to his century in just 77 balls, equaling Virender Sehwag’s record for the fastest hundred in Champions Trophy history. Maxwell finished off the chase with a rapid 32* off 15 balls, as Australia completed the task in 47.3 overs.
“I think firstly the partnership between Shorty and Marnus was really important. They sort of set the platform there, got us off to a good start. We were in and around the run rate to start off with, so that was a big help. And then, yeah, me and Carey, we didn’t really say too much out there. Carey is pretty quiet when he’s batting, so I think we were going pretty well,” said Inglis.
“So, I just tried to not look at the scoreboard too much, look at the run rate, just keep batting the way we were going. And we knew if we could get close enough with Maxi still to come that we’ve just seen what Maxi can do and everyone’s seen it for a while now. So, to get close enough for him to be able to explode like that at the back end was probably in the back of our thoughts,” he added.
Was this the best innings that he played? “It’s really special,” replied Inglis. “Maybe under the circumstances, I think in an ICC event, obviously, you want to have an impact and you want to help your team win a game so yeah. I think maybe, I think I’ll reflect on that in the future.”
Optimism and belief is very much there – Buttler
Jos Buttler acknowledged Inglis and his teammates for orchestrating “a fantastic chase” that took the game away from his side, despite England posting “a really good score.”
He admitted that the dew factor made batting slightly easier in the second innings but credited Australia for successfully pulling off the challenging run chase.
“Ben Duckett played an absolutely outstanding innings. I’m really pleased for him but credit to Australia. That was a fantastic chase and Josh Inglis played brilliant innings to see them home,” said Buttler. “I thought we had a really good score, the way the wicket played there in the daytime, a little bit of indifferent bounce or the ball wasn’t quite coming on so well. But there was always a little bit maybe on if the dew came in and how much it came in. So, it did start to skid on a bit more in the second half. But that being said, they were going to have to play really well to score 350, but they managed to.”
Buttler was full of praise for Duckett, stating, “I’m sure it’s rare for someone to score 160 and still end up on the losing side. He’s played brilliantly. He’s been in excellent form for England across all formats in recent years, and getting the opportunity to open in ODIs has been perfect for him. His game is ideally suited for scoring big runs. Before the tournament, I even mentioned that he could be the first Englishman to score a double hundred in ODI cricket.”
Big year for English cricket
“And I think an innings like today just really should really prove to him how consistent he can be and how big a run he can score in this format. Obviously it’s a big year for English cricket and he’s going to be at the forefront of it. So, to start as he has done here and looking ahead I’m sure England fans will be excited to watch him back for the rest of the year.”
The loss against Australia was England’s fifth in a row in ODI cricket but the England captain wasn’t too concerned about it. “I think the longer it goes on, hopefully the closer you get to winning and the optimism and the belief is very much there in the team.
Sometimes you put in a really good performance but the opposition are desperate to win and can play well too. So, I think we have to be proud of the way we played today and the way we performed, but give credit to the opposition for just being a little bit better and getting over the line.”
