Eyeing to field first under the humid conditions of Lahore seemed to be a backfiring decision when Ben Duckett and Joe Root stabilized the stage despite a couple of early jitters in the 73-run first powerplay. The pair blended caution with aggression during the early stages of the second powerplay, keeping the scorecard ticking. After negating Nathan Ellis and Adam Zampa, they cashed on any given looseners by the trio of Glenn Maxwell, Marnus Labschagne, and Matt Short. In no time, Root followed Duckett to reach the individual fifty-run mark in the 23rd over but failed to convert it with Adam Zampa fragmenting the massive 158-run third-wicket partnership. In the next nine overs, England scored 67 runs for the loss of Harry Brook’s wicket, steering them to 268/4 in 40 overs. While Buttler failed to capitalise on the start, cameos from Liam Livingstone and Jofra Archer alongside Duckett’s monumental 165 propelled England to 351 runs in 50 overs.
Similar to their opposition, Australia lost a wicket early with Travis Head and Steve Smith departing early in a 76-run powerplay. Despite the early jitters, Matt Short and Marnus Labuschagne dragged the Aussies out of scrutiny with a brilliant partnership during the middle overs phase. While Marnus fell shy of a fifty by mere three runs, Short went on to hit 63 before the two scalps fell at a space of 18 balls. Just when the momentum shifted in the Three Lions’ favour, Josh Inglis and Alex Carey rebuilt the castle – with a mix of sweep, reverse’s and milking – leading to a couple of individual fifties. The pair irritated their arch-rivals for the rest of the second powerplay as the scoreboard read 265/4 in 40 overs. As the wicketkeeper pair looked to accelerate, Carey fell to Brydon Carse for 69 before Glenn Maxwell’s couple of strokes makes way for Jos Inglis’ century curtailing the equation down to 34 required off the last five overs. With ten runs coming off the next over, Maxwell’s 15-ball 32* cameo coupled with a few brilliant strikes from Inglis amidst a dramatic no-ball and strike confusion helped the Aussies seal the deal with 15 balls remaining.
Delay in third umpire !
— ashik (@ashik1587212) February 22, 2025
England scored the highest team total in the Champions Trophy history! 👏 #CT25
— Asim Gorsi 🇵🇰 (@asimgorsi10) February 22, 2025
Lets see!
I as per my view Champions trophy final will play between India and Australia and India will win final & Trophy.
— Sushil Yadav (@sushilyadav564) February 22, 2025
What a classic player!
Maxwell ure so beautiful to watch
— iffii 🍉 (@ifrah_exe) February 22, 2025
Free hit for maxwell, and he hits a beautiful boundary. #AUSvENG
— F@h!m AhⓂ️ed (@AhmedSfahim) February 22, 2025
What a chase!
Australia showed today why they’re one of the biggest contenders this champions trophy.
Made 352 feel like nothing. #ENGvsAUS— The Wealthy Wordsmith 📣 (@wbhavay) February 22, 2025
Good trio!
Aussies would have won this champions trophy easily if they had their bowling trio
— Mehrush (@rnvision7) February 22, 2025
Aussies start their champions trophy campaign in style ..
Quite a Statement and an Easy Win Over England ..#ChampionsTrophy2025 #ENGvsAUS— Mudit 🇮🇳 (@MuditHastir) February 22, 2025
Mighty ausis!
Before the Champions Trophy I really Thought less of the Australian Team that is playing without most of the STAR PLAYERS but they proved again that one should never underestimate them and why they are called ‘THE MIGHTY AUSTRALIANS’ Good Job Jsh Inglis 🙌🏻#ENGvsAUS #ENGvAUS pic.twitter.com/3jKdoYJCh3
— Kriti Sharma (@Kriti_Sharma01) February 22, 2025
