Watch: ‘Josh Inglis still got his English passport?’

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Under the leadership of Steve Smith, the Australia National Cricket Team took on Jos Buttler-led England National Cricket Team in their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opening match at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Saturday, February 22.

Steve Smith’s team delivered an exceptional performance with the bat and clinched a historic 5-wicket win by chasing down a target of 352 runs.

Also Read: ICC Champions Trophy Points Table 2025: Updated Standings After Australia vs England, Match 4

Australia pull off historic run-chase, thanks to Josh Inglis

The Aussies opted to bowl first in the match after winning the toss and had a poor outing. English batter Ben Duckett slammed a magnificent ton and decimated the Australian bowling unit to help his team post a huge total of 351/8 on the board.

For Australia, Ben Dwarshuis was the top wicket-taker as he bagged three wickets, while Adam Zampa and Marnus Labuschagne bagged two wickets each, with Glenn Maxwell picking one wicket.

Chasing the target, Australia lost Travis Head and Steve Smith inside 5 overs. Then came the rebuilding phase for the Aussies as Matthew Short (63) and Marnus Labuschagne (47) shifted momentum towards Australia.

After that, Alex Carey (69) and Josh Inglis built an exceptional 146-run partnership that pushed the Three Lions out of the game. In the end, Glenn Maxwell and Josh Inglis (120*) finished off the match and pulled off one of the greatest run-chases in ODI cricket history.

The two keepers have been batting beautifully – Steve Smith

Speaking at the post-match presentation ceremony, Steve Smith said that Matthew Short provided a good start to the team and expressed disappointment over his and Travis Head’s performance. He said:

“I thought the guys were outstanding from the outset. Short played well up top. Travis and I were the only ones to miss out and the middle order did a fantastic job.

Steve Smith added that he thought that the target put on the board by England was gettable as there was a lot of dew. He said:

“Regardless of what team we have, we would have bowled first. I thought it slowed up in the end in the first innings and I thought 350 was chaseable and knew we can chase this if we batted 50 overs. The boys did a good job with the ball and controlled the back end by mixing it up. Marnus did a good job.”

Steve Smith further lauded Alex Carey and Josh Inglis for their heroics and had a hilarious chat about Inglis’ English passport. Notably, Josh Inglis was born in Leeds, England, and moved to Australia with his family when he was 14.

“The two keepers have been batting beautifully for now. Josh hits the ball all along the ground and has all the shots. It Was a top effort from Inglis and also Alex with a brilliant hand,” he said.

‘Josh still got his English passport?” the former England captain Michael Atherton asked Steve Smith, to which he responded by laughing and saying, “You’ve to ask him, but he’s not going anywhere.”

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Australia beat England in their last ODI as well

Australia put in a great performance in their previous ODI against England to secure a 49-run victory via the DLS method. With the win, they clinched the series 3-2.

Bowling first, Australia found themselves under pressure after England’s top order fired in the first half of their innings. However, the spinners turned the game around.

Travis Head (4/28) delivered a career-best spell, dismissing key batters, including centurion Ben Duckett. Glenn Maxwell (2/49) and Adam Zampa (2/74) supported well, exploiting a pitch that offered help to spinners. Also, Aaron Hardie picked up two wickets with his pace-bowling. Eventually, England got all out for 309 runs in 49.2 overs.

Meanwhile, the rain interruptions led to Australia getting a shortened target of 117 in 20.4 overs, which they chased with ease. Matthew Short (58 off 30) led the charge with a sensational knock, hitting seven fours and four sixes.

Also, Travis Head (31 off 26) played an aggressive knock before being dismissed, but the damage had already been done. After losing two wickets, Steve Smith (36 off 48) and Josh Inglis (28 off 20) calmly finished the game.




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