Introduction
On a sunny day in Lahore, Pakistan, England’s cricket team played a thrilling match against Australia. This happened in the Champions Trophy 2025. England’s star player, Ben Duckett, smashed a fantastic century. His score of 165 runs amazed everyone. Thanks to him, England reached a huge total of 351 for 8 wickets in 50 overs. Let’s dive into this exciting game and see how it all unfolded!
A Great Start for England
The match took place at Gaddafi Stadium. Australia’s captain, Steve Smith, won the toss. He chose to bowl first. This means Australia wanted England to bat first. At the start, things looked tough for England. They lost two quick wickets. Phil Salt got out for just 12 runs. Then, Jamie Smith scored only 6 before leaving the field. England was in trouble at 43 for 2.
But then, Ben Duckett stepped up. He stayed calm and strong. With Joe Root by his side, Duckett started hitting the ball hard. The two players built a super partnership. They added 158 runs together. This big stand turned the game around for England. Duckett played like a hero, and Root helped with a solid 68 runs off 78 balls.
Duckett’s Amazing Century
Ben Duckett was the star of the day. He faced 143 balls and scored 165 runs. That’s a lot! He hit 17 fours and 3 sixes. His shots were fast and powerful. Duckett reached his century in just 95 balls. He smashed two boundaries in a row off Spencer Johnson to get there. The crowd cheered loudly. This was his third century in One Day International (ODI) matches. It was also his second against Australia.
Duckett didn’t stop there. He kept going and made history. His 165 runs became the highest score ever in the Champions Trophy. Before this, New Zealand’s Nathan Astle held the record with 145 runs. That happened way back in 2004. Duckett broke that old record and wrote his name in the books. Fans called it a “record-breaking” day!
England’s Big Total
With Duckett leading the way, England aimed high. After Root got out, captain Jos Buttler joined Duckett. They added 61 runs together. Buttler scored a quick 23 off 21 balls. But then, he got out too. England kept losing wickets. Liam Livingstone made 11 runs, and Harry Brook scored only 2. The middle order struggled a bit.
Duckett stayed strong until the end. He got out in the 48th over. Marnus Labuschagne bowled him with a tricky ball. Duckett tried to hit big but missed. Still, his huge score kept England on track. In the last over, Jofra Archer hit some big shots. He scored an unbeaten 21 off just 10 balls. This included a four and a six off the final balls. England finished with 351 for 8.
This total is the biggest ever in Champions Trophy history. Before this, New Zealand scored 347 against the USA in 2004. England beat that record too. What a day for them!
Australia’s Bowling Effort
Australia tried hard to stop England. Their bowlers worked tirelessly. Ben Dwarshuis was the best for them. He took 3 wickets for 67 runs. Nathan Ellis got 2 wickets, and Marnus Labuschagne also took 2. Adam Zampa and Spencer Johnson each got 1 wicket. But Duckett was too good. He hit their bowlers all over the park.
Australia’s spinners, like Zampa and Glenn Maxwell, had a tough time. Duckett smashed them for big runs. The flat pitch in Lahore helped the batsmen. It was hard for bowlers to control the game. Still, Australia fought back in the end. They took quick wickets to slow England down. But 351 runs is a giant target to chase.
Why This Matters
This match was England’s first game in the Champions Trophy 2025. It’s a big tournament with top teams fighting for the title. England showed they mean business. Duckett’s century was a warning to other teams. He proved he’s one of the best openers in the world. His 165 runs set a new standard.
England’s total of 351-8 is also a challenge for Australia. The Aussies are a strong team. They’ve won the Champions Trophy twice before. But chasing such a big score under lights won’t be easy. The pitch looks good for batting, so fans expect a close fight.
Key Moments of the Game
Let’s look at some exciting moments:
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- Early Wickets: England lost Salt and Smith quickly. They were 43-2 in just 8 overs.
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- Duckett-Root Show: The duo added 158 runs. Duckett reached his fifty, then his hundred, and kept going.
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- Record Breaker: Duckett hit 165, beating Nathan Astle’s old record of 145.
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- Late Fireworks: Archer’s quick 21 not out pushed England past 350.
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- Biggest Total: England’s 351-8 became the highest score in Champions Trophy history.
These moments made the game special. Fans loved every second of it!
What’s Next?
Now, it’s Australia’s turn to bat. They need 352 runs to win. That’s a lot of runs! Their batsmen, like Steve Smith and Travis Head, will have to play well. England’s bowlers, like Jofra Archer and Mark Wood, will try to stop them. The game is happening under lights. This can make batting a bit harder.
England feels confident after their big score. Duckett’s knock gave them a strong start in the tournament. They’ll face South Africa and Afghanistan next in Group B. If they keep playing like this, they could go far. Australia, though, won’t give up easily. They’re a tough team with a winning history.
Duckett Shines Bright
Ben Duckett is the talk of the town. At 30 years old, he showed his class. His 165 runs came on a flat pitch, but he made it look easy. He hit 17 fours—that’s 68 runs just from boundaries! His three sixes flew high and far. Duckett said he loves batting against Australia. This was his second century against them.
His partnership with Root was key. Root played smartly, scoring 68 with four boundaries. Together, they frustrated Australia’s bowlers. Duckett’s big score didn’t just help England. It made history. He’s now the first player to score over 150 in the Champions Trophy. What a proud moment!
Fans Love It
Cricket fans went wild after the game. On social media, they praised Duckett. “He’s a superstar!” one fan wrote. “Best innings ever!” said another. People loved how he took on Australia’s bowlers. They also cheered England’s huge total. “351 is unbeatable!” a fan posted.
The Lahore crowd enjoyed the action too. They clapped for Duckett’s century and roared for Archer’s late hits. It was a fun day for cricket lovers. Everyone’s now waiting to see if Australia can chase this giant score.
A Day to Remember
February 22, 2025, will be a day cricket fans won’t forget. Ben Duckett’s brilliant 165 powered England to 351-8. It’s the highest total ever in the Champions Trophy. He broke records and won hearts. England started their campaign with a bang. Australia now faces a tough task.
This match was full of excitement. From early wickets to Duckett’s heroics, it had everything. The Champions Trophy 2025 is heating up. England looks strong, and Duckett is their shining star. Can Australia fight back? We’ll find out soon! For now, Duckett’s ton is the big story in cricket.