Inglis Shines as Australia Stuns England in Epic Run Chase
Josh Inglis delivered a career-defining performance as Australia pulled off a remarkable run chase against England in their Champions Trophy opener. The Leeds-born wicketkeeper-batter smashed a stunning maiden ODI century, steering his side to a record-breaking victory with a composed and aggressive knock. But as Inglis basked in the glory of his achievement, he was quick to acknowledge the crucial role played by his captain, Steve Smith, whose tactical decision at the toss set the stage for Australia's triumph.
The match began with Smith making a bold call to bowl first, despite England’s powerful batting lineup. His decision was based on meticulous planning, knowing that Lahore’s conditions tend to favor chasing teams under the lights. England capitalized early, with Ben Duckett hammering a brilliant 165, propelling his team to a daunting total of 351/8. At one stage, they seemed on track for 400, but Australia’s bowlers adjusted smartly, taking pace off the ball and executing well in the death overs.
Chasing 352, Australia faced an early setback, losing two of their most reliable batters—Smith and Travis Head—inside the first 25 balls. With the pressure mounting, Matt Short (63) and Marnus Labuschagne (47) steadied the innings, keeping the required run rate in check. But the real turning point came when Inglis joined forces with Alex Carey. Their electric 146-run partnership off just 116 balls swung the momentum in Australia’s favor, with Inglis leading the charge with an aggressive yet calculated approach. Carey’s classy 69 and Glenn Maxwell’s late cameo (32 off 15) ensured Australia reached the target with 15 balls to spare.
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For Inglis, this century held special significance—not because it came against the country of his birth, but because of the responsibility he carried in this crucial chase. Born in Leeds but having moved to Australia at 14, Inglis has long been seen as a potential all-format star. His latest achievement further cements his reputation, as he became only the fourth Australian to score international centuries in all three formats, achieving the feat in significantly fewer innings than the likes of David Warner, Shane Watson, and Maxwell.
Reflecting on the victory, Inglis credited the team’s awareness of the dewy conditions and their execution in the chase. “We trained here at night, and it got really wet around 7:30-8:00 PM, so we knew if we took it deep, it would be tough for their bowlers at the back end,” he explained. True to plan, the ball skidded on beautifully, making stroke play easier as the innings progressed.
While Inglis' heroics took center stage, Carey’s performance did not go unnoticed. Apart from his crucial knock, he also took three outstanding catches in the outfield, reminding everyone of his athleticism and versatility. With both keepers in red-hot form, Australia now has an enviable selection dilemma, proving they can contribute purely as batters as well.
Smith, meanwhile, lauded the team’s resilience, emphasizing how crucial it was to start the tournament on a winning note. “We trusted each other’s skills and executed well. At one stage, it looked like England could get 400, but we pulled it back and backed ourselves in the chase,” the Aussie skipper said. His leadership was evident not only in his tactical choices but also in the confidence he instilled in his team to believe in a mammoth chase.
With this victory, Australia has set the tone for the tournament, and their focus now shifts to their next match against South Africa in Rawalpindi. If this performance is anything to go by, they are well on their way to making another deep run in an ICC event.
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