Ben Duckett scored 165 runs off 143 balls to take England to 351/8 in 50 overs. He hit 17 fours and 3 sixes to keep Australia bowlers at bay in Lahore. He shared a 130-run plus stand with former England captain Joe Root, who amassed a fifty.
Steve Smith’s decision to bowl first back-fired as Duckett kept hitting big shots. He recorded the highest score by an England batter in the history of the Champions Trophy. The southpaw aldo broke Kevin Pietersen”s milestone for the highest score by an English player against Australia in the ICC fifty-over format.
Ben Dwarshuis took three wickets while the likes of Adam Zampaa and Marnus Labuschagne dismissed two batters each, respectively.
Australia are missing their big stars in the ongoing global tournament. Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Marsh, Mitchell Starc and Marcus Stoinis are not playing.