LAHORE, Pakistan — In a remarkable display of batting, Ben Duckett made history by becoming the first batter to score over 150 runs in a Champions Trophy match, guiding England to a record total of 351-8 against two-time champions Australia on Saturday. Duckett’s outstanding innings of 165 runs came from 143 balls, featuring an impressive 17 fours and three sixes, as the Australian pace attack struggled on the flat surface of the newly renovated Gaddafi Stadium.
This innings marked the fifth century recorded in just four matches of the current Champions Trophy, with Duckett being the fourth opener to achieve such a milestone, following New Zealand’s Will Young, India’s Shubman Gill, and South Africa’s Ryan Rickelton. The previous record of the highest individual score in the Champions Trophy was held by New Zealand’s Nathan Astle, who scored an unbeaten 145 against the United States in 2004. Additionally, the previous highest team total in the tournament was New Zealand’s 347-4 from that same match.
Duckett played a crucial role in constructing England’s innings, forming a formidable 158-run partnership with Joe Root, who contributed 68 runs from 78 deliveries. Duckett showcased his prowess with aggressive drives down the ground and displayed his versatility with reverse sweeps against Australia’s leading spinner, Adam Zampa, who finished with figures of 2-64.
Marnus Labuschagne chipped in with 2-41 and managed to dismiss Duckett in the 48th over, as Duckett misjudged a straight delivery while attempting a sweep, leading to his dismissal through leg before wicket. Australia, missing key players like Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc, managed to make early breakthroughs after winning the toss and electing to field.
Ben Dwarshuis made a mark by claiming 3 wickets for 66 runs, including the dismissals of Phil Salt (10) and Jamie Smith (15), with the latter being caught spectacularly by wicketkeeper Alex Carey. However, Duckett and Root’s partnership saw England achieve their first century stand in One Day Internationals this year, with Duckett reaching his century off 95 balls, highlighted by two consecutive boundaries against Spencer Johnson, who was sent off after conceding 54 runs in his 7 overs.
The crucial partnership was finally broken when Zampa trapped Root lbw in the 31st over, followed by another excellent catch from Carey, which sent Harry Brook back to the pavilion for just 3 runs. Duckett, undeterred, continued to score rapidly despite quick dismissals of captain Jos Buttler (23) and Liam Livingstone (14).
Jofra Archer added a quick-fire 21 runs off just 10 balls, including a flurry of runs off Labuschagne in the final over, as England amassed 83 runs in the last 10 overs of the innings. This match holds special significance as Pakistan is hosting its first major ICC tournament in 29 years, having co-hosted the 1996 World Cup alongside India and Sri Lanka.
In the opening matches of Group A, New Zealand and India emerged victorious against Pakistan and Bangladesh, respectively, while South Africa kicked off its campaign in Group B with a commanding 107-run win over Afghanistan in Karachi.
