Twitter Reactions: Josh Inglis toys with England bowlers as Australia mark winning start to Champions Trophy campaign

Twitter Reactions: Josh Inglis toys with England bowlers as Australia mark winning start to Champions Trophy campaign. (Photo Source: AAMIR QURESHI/AFP via Getty Images)

Australia put on a clinical display to outclass arch-rivals England by five wickets in their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opener at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. Chasing a target of 352, the Aussies made it look easy, reaching the target in just 47.3 overs with five wickets, thanks to Josh Inglis’ brilliant century.

England, after being put into bat by Australia, posted a total of 351/8 in their 50 overs, registering a new record for the highest-ever team total in Champions Trophy history. The onslaught was started by Ben Duckett, whose 165 off 143 balls became the highest individual score in the tournament’s history, surpassing previous records held by Nathan Astle and Andy Flower.

Joe Root provided crucial support with a 78-ball 68, but apart from Jofra Archer’s late cameo (21* off 10), England’s middle and lower order failed to fire. The likes of Jos Buttler, Harry Brook, and Liam Livingstone struggled to capitalize on the wicket. For Australia, Ben Dwarshuis was the pick of the bowlers, picking up 3/66, while Adam Zampa and Marnus Labuschagne chipped in with two wickets each to contain the Three Lions’ batting line-up.

In reply, the Aussies lost Travis Head (6) and Steve Smith (5) under five overs. However, Matthew Short (63 off 66) and Labuschagne (47 off 45) steadied the ship before Josh Inglis arrived and took the game away from Buttler & Co.

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The wicketkeeper-batter played a classical innings, smashing an unbeaten 120 off just 86 balls, laced with eight fours and six sixes. Alex Carey (69 off 63) held on the other end very well and stitched a 146-run partnership with Inglis which put Australia in complete control.

Glenn Maxwell’s unbeaten 32* off 15 balls in the end ensured victory with 15 balls to spare. England’s bowlers failed to make an impact on the flat Lahore surface. Archer, Mark Wood, Brydon Carse, Adil Rashid, and Liam Livingstone picked up a wicket each, but none could stop Australian batters.

Check out how ‘X’ reacted to Australia’s win over England in Lahore