ENG VS AUS MATCH 4

Right then, that it is it from this run-fest where Australia registers a record-breaking win over England. Now, from one big rivalry, we shift our focus to another as arch-rivals Pakistan and India go up against each other in the Champions Trophy 2025. That clash is scheduled to be played on 23rd February, Sunday at 9 am GMT. But as you know, you can always join us early for all the build-up to the match. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

Steve Smith, the victorious skipper of Australia says that the guys were outstanding as Matthew Short played beautifully up the order and then the partnership between Alex Carey and Josh Inglis was so good. He feels that Travis Head and he has missed out today but he is happy with the win. Adds that they would have bowled first, regardless of their team, and batting at the back end is easy compared to the first inning. They have trained for that in the last couple of days. They knew that 350 was gonna be chaseable but for a moment when they lost four wickets, it looked like it was a big score to chase down but the hundred of Josh Inglis was too outstanding. Mentions that trusting each other is the key and the bowlers did a really good job in the first inning, especially in the back end of the first inning. Talks about the batting of both keepers, as they have been batting like a dream for a while now. Josh Inglis hits the ball really well down the ground and he congratulates him for his maiden ODI hundred.

The captain of England, Jos Buttler says that it was a fantastic innings from Josh Inglis. Mentions that they would have taken 350 at the start of the day but they were a bit concerned about the dew and it making batting easier in the second half. Says that Ben Duckett played brilliantly and he has been incredible for them in all three formats. Adds that they want players in the side to go on and make big contributions. Shares that he is delighted for Duckett but it is a shame that he ended up on the losing side. Mentions that the guys are experienced enough in the side and they know the importance of building partnerships.

Josh Inglis is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his fantastic century. He says that he is feeling over the moon. Obviously, it is a great win, and that too coming up against England. He is pumped and it has been a great performance overall from the team. Adds that there wasn’t much discussion at the halfway mark in the dressing room as they knew the dew would come and batting second would be easier. Talks about his partnership with Alex Carey, and says that he doesn’t talk too much when he bats. Further adds that the part-time options of England were handy as they have bowled a lot in international cricket but he knew the dew would make it easy for batting in the end. Concludes by saying it is a big win and this will boost their confidence.

Presentation Time...

England will be gutted with their bowling and fielding effort. Jofra Archer and Mark Wood struck early, but they couldn’t capitalize, letting Australia off the hook. Adil Rashid and Liam Livingstone sparked hopes with timely breakthroughs, yet England failed to seize the moment. Archer’s costly drop of Carey only added to their woes, and though Brydon Carse eventually sent him back, the damage was already done. With dew making life miserable for the bowlers, runs flowed freely at the death, leaving England with a bitter pill to swallow.

Earlier in the game, England put up a mammoth total, powered by Ben Duckett’s sensational big-daddy hundred, Joe Root’s elegant fifty, and Jofra Archer’s explosive finish. Australia had their moments with the ball - Ben Dwarshuis led the charge with three crucial scalps, while Adam Zampa and Marnus Labuschagne struck twice each, and Glenn Maxwell chipped in with one as they pulled things back a bit towards the end.

Australia battled early trouble, losing wickets upfront, but Matthew Short and Marnus Labuschagne dug deep, stitching a vital 95-run stand to steady the innings. Marnus anchored the middle order while Short notched up a classy fifty, though both departed in quick succession, leaving the chase in the balance. Enter Alex Carey and Josh Inglis, who turned the tide with counter-attacking fifties and a brilliant century stand, keeping up with the required rate. Carey fell, but Glenn Maxwell’s fireworks and Inglis' breathtaking maiden ODI ton sealed a remarkable win, showcasing Australia’s depth and resilience in style!

The World Champions roar into action with a stunning victory, pulling off the highest-ever ODI chase in ICC tournament history! A masterclass under pressure from Australia, and they extend their dominance over arch-rivals England, who now face a tough situation in their remaining games to keep their semifinal hopes alive.

SIX! AND THAT'S THAT! Josh Inglis fittingly seals a remarkable Aussie win with a six! Wood goes full, on middle and leg, Inglis brings his bottom hand into play and picks it up nicely. Whips it towards deep mid-wicket where Joe Root leaps and gets a hand to it but it is not enough to prevent the six. Inglis punches the air in delight as Australia register a famous win in Lahore and get their campaign off to a winning start.

Wood drags the length back and bowls it on middle, Maxwell backs away and pulls it through mid-wicket for a single.

Very full, slanting in, on middle, Josh squeezes it out to mid on for a single.

Executes the yorker this time does Jofra, on off, Maxwell digs it out to cover.

SIX! Maxwell cashes in on the Free Hit! Archer goes searching for the yorker but misses his mark. Serves it in the slot, on middle, Maxwell goes deep in the crease and gets under the ball. Launches it over long on for a six. Australia need just 4 more now.

NO BALL! Archer gets it all wrong as the ball slips out of his hand and it goes around the waist. Maxwell is hurried as he tries to swipe it across the line and also gets tucked up for room. It goes only as far as deep mid-wicket where Liam Livingstone takes it. Livingstone completes the catch and releases the throw immediately as the batters cross. It is referred upstairs and the replays confirm that the ball was indeed above the waist. The third umpire then checks whether the batters crossed before the catch was completed. He gives his verdict that the catch was completed first and then the batters crossed. So, it will be Maxwell on strike for the Free Hit.

Is that a No Ball? It certainly slipped out of Jofra Archer's hand as he served a high full toss here. The replay rolls out and it is clearly above the waist height. The umpire signals a No Ball and it will be a Free Hit. The umpires now want to make sure who is on strike and it will be Glenn Maxwell.

FOUR! Powered away! Australia are just a couple of big hits away now. Need 11 more runs now. Jofra hurls it fuller, on off, Maxwell presses back and winds up. Gets his hands through the line of the ball and spanks it to the left of mid off for a boundary.