Australia and England faced off in a thrilling match during the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, resulting in a nail-biting five-wicket victory for the Australians with just 15 balls left. Josh Inglis turned heads with his phenomenal unbeaten 120 off just 86 deliveries, marking his first ODI century. This performance was crucial in orchestrating Australia's record-breaking chase of 356 runs, the highest successful chase in the tournament's history.
England, opting to bat first, put up a formidable total of 351/8, thanks largely to a stunning 165 from Ben Duckett and support from Joe Root who added 68. Despite their impressive batting, England's journey to defend their score hit a roadblock as the Australian side, undeterred by the towering target, built solid partnerships to inch towards victory. Notably, Ben Dwarshuis took 3/66, providing crucial breakthroughs when needed. Marnus Labuschagne and Adam Zampa also chipped in, taking 2/41 and 2/64 respectively.
The pressure was palpable as Australia began their chase. Early setbacks threatened their momentum, but Alex Carey's 69 and Matthew Short's sturdy 63 anchored the innings. A pivotal moment was the partnership between Inglis and Carey, yielding 146 runs and setting the stage for a successful finish.
Inglis was undoubtedly the star of the show, steering the game away from England with assured and inventive stroke-play. His innings was punctuated by boundaries that not only energized the team but unsettled the English fielders. Glenn Maxwell's quick-fire 32* further added salt to the wound, deftly navigating the crucial final moments of the match.
England's bowlers found themselves at odds with the dewy conditions, which hampered their ability to grip the ball and maintain accuracy. Added to this was England's struggling fielding performance, highlighted by Jofra Archer's drop of a catch that could have turned the tides.
Australia's win in this match not only underscored their tenacity and resilience but also ended a long wait since their last Champions Trophy win back in 2009. The victory serves as a significant morale boost and positions Australia as a strong contender in the tournament.