Credit: ICC
England have started their Champions Trophy 2025 campaign on a high note as they are dominating their arch-rivals Australia in the ongoing contest at the Gaddafi Stadium. Winning the toss, the Aussie captain Steven Smith put England to bat first and his decision seemed correct after Phil Salt’s early departure at his score of 10. However, Ben Duckett refused to bow down against the Aussie bowlers and produced an exquisite knock from his bat. In the absence of their formidable pace-bowling trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood, Australia’s bowling unit lacked discipline.
Taking advantage of Australia’s frailty, Duckett stitched a 158-run stand with veteran Joe Root, who chipped in with 68 runs off 78 balls in the partnership. From one end, wickets kept falling in regular intervals but the southpaw remained unfazed and ended his innings after scoring 165 off 143. His innings was studded with 20 boundaries (17 fours and three maximums). Duckett brought his third ODI century in 95 balls. The left-handed batter's 165-run knock is also the first-ever 150 by any batter in Champions Trophy history.
Ben Duckett records highest-individual score in Champions Trophy
Ben Duckett’s majestic knock has become the highest individual score in the history of the Champions Trophy. He became the owner of the amazing batting feat after surpassing former New Zealand batter Nathan Astle’s record of an unbeaten 145-run innings against the USA that came in the Champions Trophy 2004 match played at The Oval.
From Australia’s side, Ben Dwarshuis took three wickets and is the highest wicket-taker after England posted 351/8, the highest team score in Champions Trophy history. Adam Zampa and Marnus Labuschagne have also claimed two wickets apiece. Australia have never won any game in the Champions Trophy since their second-title victory in 2009 under Ricky Ponting.
