Lahore, Feb 22: Ben Duckett delivered a stunning performance, scoring a career-best 165 to lead England to a total of 351 for 8 in their Champions Trophy Group B opener against Australia on Saturday. Duckett, 30, who was overlooked during England’s unfortunate T20 World Cup campaign last year, seized this opportunity, smashing 17 fours and three sixes in his 143-ball innings, guiding his team to their highest-ever Champions Trophy score.
After being sent in to bat, England faced early setbacks at 43/2 within the powerplay. However, Duckett played a crucial role, first establishing a remarkable 158-run partnership with Joe Root (68) and then adding a vital 61-run partnership with captain Jos Buttler (23 off 21 balls).
Following his dismissal in the 48th over, Jofra Archer contributed with a quickfire 21 not out, which included two fours and a six, pushing the total over the 350-mark.
Duckett’s innings was characterized by a balance of patience and aggression. He confidently targeted Glenn Maxwell, hitting a six in just the second over, setting the tone for England’s resurgence. Once settled, he effortlessly rotated the strike with Root, leading to a fluid innings before accelerating in the later stages. Duckett reached his century in 95 balls, marked by consecutive boundaries off Spencer Johnson, marking his second ODI hundred against Australia.
The weakened Australian squad struggled, particularly as their key spinner Adam Zampa faced Duckett’s relentless attack. Despite Ben Dwarshuis taking two early wickets (3/66), the pace attack seemed lackluster without the injured trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood. Nathan Ellis stood out for his precision, ending a wicketless spell with 0/51 from 10 overs.
Alex Carey made a significant impact with the gloves, catching two wickets, including an impressive one-handed grab to dismiss Phil Salt (10), leaping to secure the catch spectacularly.
England debutant Jamie Smith (15) played a couple of promising shots before his untimely dismissal. This brought Root to join Duckett early in the sixth over, and together they stabilized England’s innings with a solid 158-run partnership off 155 balls.
Duckett continued his excellent form from the India series, achieving his first ICC tournament fifty off 49 balls with a boundary against Johnson. While Duckett aggressively took charge, Root played the perfect supporting role, carefully rotating the strike on his way to a 41st ODI fifty off 56 balls. Zampa finally broke through by dismissing Root for 68.
On his 26th birthday, Harry Brook managed just three runs from six balls. Captain Buttler, batting in a new finishing role, looked dangerous, striking one four and one six before being dismissed by Maxwell. (PTI)
