Follow UsChasing 352 was always going to be a tough ask for Australia, and the already-tough challenge became a hundred times more difficult when they lost their two best batters, Travis Head and Steve Smith, inside the first 25 balls of the chase.
Yet, in one of the most extraordinary chases in ODI history, the Kangaroos ended up getting home with five wickets and 15 balls to spare. And that was thanks to an outrageous knock from Josh Inglis, who hammered an unbeaten 120 off 86 balls and scripted history to become the first Australian wicket-keeper to score a ton in Champions Trophy history.
Australia were in deep trouble at different points in the chase - first 27/2 and then 136/4 later - but Inglis not only kept the ship steady but flayed the England bowlers at every opportunity he got to help Australia complete the biggest chase in ICC Tournament history.
Understandably, Inglis is ‘over the moon’ after his extraordinary showing.
"Over the moon, great win, 350, a lot of things have to go right. Pumped on a personal level,” Inglis said at the post-match presentation.
On the night, the key to Australia’s success was a 146-run stand for the fifth wicket stand between Inglis and Alex Carey. The two wicketkeepers got together when the score was 136/4 but when Carey departed for 69, Australia were in pole position at 282/5.
“He (Carey) doesn't really say anything when he bats, just a few words here and there. I was trying not to look at the scoreboard too much. We were going so well that we just need to keep chipping away. We knew with Maxi still in the sheds, there'd always be a chance,” Inglis said.
Skipper Steve Smith, meanwhile, was full of praise for both the wicketkeepers - Carey and Inglis.
“The two keepers have been batting beautifully for a while now. Josh hits the ball all along the ground and has all the shots, Was a top effort from Inglis and also Alex with a brilliant hand,” Smith said.
Australia’s next fixture is a rematch of the 2023 World Cup semi-finals - against South Africa in Rawalpindi on February 23.