Josh Inglis delivered a remarkable century to secure a resounding victory for Australia against England in their opening Champions Trophy match, earning accolades as one of the finest ODI innings ever. Partnering with Alex Carey, the duo amassed 146 runs for the fifth wicket within 20 overs, significantly diminishing England’s hopes of a win after Australia recorded the tournament’s highest score. Just weeks after his first Test hundred, Inglis became the fifth Australian to achieve centuries across all formats, finishing at an impressive 120 not out off 86 balls.
His innings showcased a masterful blend of aggression and composure, starting with a boundary off his first ball. With Australia in a precarious position at 4-136, Inglis and Carey steadied the ship and kept their cool against a challenging target of 350. Former England captain Nasser Hussain praised Inglis’s performance, highlighting his adeptness against spin and his ability to maintain the required run rate despite early setbacks.
Despite the defeat, England’s struggles continued, marking their fifth consecutive ODI loss, and leaving them in a challenging position for upcoming matches against Afghanistan and South Africa. Meanwhile, Australia looks forward to their next game against South Africa on Tuesday night (AEDT).