Australia vs England ICC Champions Trophy, 2025, Full Score Card

A couple of runs to end the innings! Marnus Labuschagne fires this one full and on off, Jofra Archer drills it towards long off for a couple of runs. England finishes on 351/8!

SIX! BOOM! Marnus Labuschagne bowls a half-tracker, on middle. Jofra Archer moves back and hammers it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

FOUR! Powered away! Goes a bit short and around off. Jofra Archer stays back in his crease and belts it wide of long off for a boundary.

Floated, full and on off, Adil Rashid uses his feet and lofts it over extra covers for a single.

Adil Rashid is the new man in.

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! That is a fantastic catch! Tossed up, full and on middle, turns away. Brydon Carse goes down for the slog sweep but gets a top edge. The ball goes straight up behind the bowler. Marnus Labuschagne runs backwards, keeps his eyes on the ball, and dives to grab it brilliantly. Australia have pulled things back nicely in the last few overs!

DROPPED! A top effort though! Floated, full and on middle, Brydon Carse swipes it aerially towards deep mid-wicket. Glenn Maxwell charges forward and dives to grab it with the ball dying on him but just spills it out. Two runs taken.

FOUR! Nathan Ellis serves a full toss around off. Jofra Archer stays in his crease and thumps it down the ground wide of long off for a one-bounce four.

Bangs this into the pitch, on middle, slower again, Jofra Archer pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a brace.

Takes pace off, full but down the leg, Jofra Archer misses his flick. Wided.

Pitched up and on off, Brydon Carse drills it to long off for a run.

Slower one, short of a length and on middle, Brydon Carse mistimes his pull towards deep mid-wicket and calls for the second. Marnus Labuschagne runs forward but his throw is a bit wide of the keeper. Josh Inglis collects but has to turn around to break the stumps which gives Carse the time to get in.

Back of a length and on middle, Jofra Archer forces it down to long on for a single.

Hard length and on off, Jofra Archer bunts it back to the bowler.

A loopy low full toss, on middle, Jofra Archer drills it to long on for one.

Floated, full and on off, Jofra Archer pushes it to short covers.

Short and on middle, Brydon Carse flicks it through mid-wicket for a run.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Jofra Archer eases it to long off for a single.

Jofra Archer comes out to bat.

OUT! LBW! Marnus Labuschagne joins the party now! He gets rid of the centurion and that will surely make an impact on the final total. This is very slow through the air, short and on middle. Ben Duckett goes down to sweep it away but is way, way early through his shot and gets hit on the thigh pad right in front of the stumps. There is a huge appeal for LBW, and up goes the finger. However, Duckett takes the review, but UltraEdge and Ball Tracking both go against him. He walks back to a standing ovation for his exceptional 165 off 143.

Flatter, short and on middle, Brydon Carse tucks it towards the mid-wicket region and sets off for the single. Marnus Labuschagne runs to his right and slides to stop. He has a shy at the bowler's end but just misses.

FOUR! Great shot! Ben Dwarshuis bangs this one into the pitch, on middle. Ben Duckett gets on top of the bounce nicely and smacks it to the deep mid-wicket fence for a boundary.

Fuller and on middle, Brydon Carse uses is feet and drives it to long off for a run.

Brydon Carse walks out to bat.

OUT! TAKEN! Ben Dwarshuis has three now! He bowls another cutter here, good length and on middle, angling in a bit. Liam Livingstone tries for the big slog across the line but goes through his shot a bit early. The ball hits the bottom part of his bat and flies towards deep square leg where Nathan Ellis settles under it and pouches it safely. England are 316/6 now!

Slower one, full and on leg, Ben Duckett swipes it to deep square leg for a single.

Fuller one and on middle, Ben Duckett plays the reverse sweep but straight towards point.

FOUR! Excellent shot! Short of a length and just outside off. Ben Duckett stands tall, reaches out for it and slaps it wide of mid off for a boundary.

Short again and outside off, Ben Duckett looks to cut but gets an outside edge towards short third for one. A good over from Adam Zampa despite getting hit for a boundary on the first ball.

Quicker, short and on middle, Ben Duckett tries the reverse sweep again but miscues it on the bounce to extra covers.

Flighted, full and on middle, Liam Livingstone guides it towards point for one.

Tossed up, full and on off Liam Livingstone pushes it to short covers.

Flatter, full but down the leg side, Liam Livingstone looks to swipe it away but misses. Wided.

Floated, shortish and on middle, tuns away, Ben Duckett changes his stance and reverse sweeps it to deep point for a single.

FOUR! Nice shot! Tossed up, full and on middle. Ben Duckett goes down and nails the sweep shot between deep square leg and deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

Fullish delivery, on off, Liam Livingstone drives it firmly but straight to short covers. Just 4 runs off the over!

Nathan Ellis gets his first wicket now, or does he? The umpire raises his finger for LBW appeal but Liam Livingstone takes the review. This one is on a good length and on middle, pace on this time, angling in a bit too. Livingstone looks to work it away but misses and gets hit on the front pad. Oh..wait! UltraEdge shows a spike when the ball is close to the bat and that means there is an inside edge. The on-field call is changed, and Liam survives!

Nathan Ellis takes all the pace off, loops it up, full and on off. Liam Livingstone goes through his slog way early and misses.

150 FOR DUCKETT! This has been an amazing knock from the English opener! Short of a length and around off, Ben Duckett cuts it towards point. Travis Head fumbles and allows the run.

Slower one, back of a length and on for, Liam Livingstone dabs it towards point for a run.

Right in the blockhole, on middle, angling in, Ben Duckett jams it out towards long on for a single.

Goes for the wide yorker but this it way outside off, Ben Duckett lets it go. Wided. 300 UP FOR ENGLAND NOW!

Tossed up, full and around off, Ben Duckett drags it towards long on for one more. 10 runs off the over!

Short and around off, Liam Livingstone punches it through cover-point for one.

Flighted, full and on off, Ben Duckett goes down and reverse sweeps it towards deep point for a run.

Floated, full and on off, Liam Livingstone drills it through covers for a single.

SIX! Up, up and away! Marnus Labuschagne serves a freebie here! It is a loopy full toss, on middle. Liam Livingstone is not going to miss out on that and goes down to smash it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Tossed up, full and on off, Liam Livingstone pushes it to short covers.

Bangs this into the pitch, on middle, takes pace off, Ben Duckett looks to pull but gets a bottom edge back towards the keeper.

Overpitched and on middle, Liam Livingstone plays a lovely straight drive down the ground. Glenn Maxwell from long off moves quickly to his left and releases the ball in flash to keep it down to just one.

Hard length and outside off, Ben Duckett backs away and cuts it to deep point for another run.

On a length and on off, Liam Livingstone steers it towards third man for a run.

Short of a length and around off, Liam Livingstone guides it to point.

Back of a length and on middle, angling in, Ben Duckett looks to work it away but gloves it down to the off side. The batters decide to go for the single. Ellis runs forward, picks it up and throws it at the stumps at the batter's end but misses.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Ben Duckett works it to deep square leg for one more.

Drags his length back, on middle, Liam Livingstone pulls it to deep mid-wicker for one.

Flighted, full and on leg, Ben Duckett tucks it through square leg for another run.

Short again and outside off, Liam Livingstone punches it hard and towards short covers. Steve Smith gets a good hand on it to make a half-stop. They cross.

Short and on off, Liam Livingstone stabs it to short covers.

A googly, full and on off, turns away, Ben Duckett guides it off the outer half of the bat through point for a single.

OUT! TAKEN! Glenn Maxwell strikes gold here! He gets the big wicket of Jos Buttler at a crucial time. Flatter delivery, full and on middle. Buttler goes down on one knee to slog sweep but fails to get fully underneath it. He ends up hitting it flat and aerieally towards deep mid-wicket. Nathan Ellis moves a bit forward and takes a nice low catch inches above the ground. England lose half their side now! Liam Livingstone comes out to bat now.

FOUR! Short and punished! Glenn Maxwell bowls a half-tracker, on middle. Jos Buttler has all the time in the world to rock back and heaves it wide of deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

Uppish but safe! Flighted. full and around off, Ben Duckett slices it just over short third for a run.

Short and on middle, Jos Buttler pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single;

SIX! Into the stands! Floated, full and on middle. Jos Buttler dances down the track and smokes it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie. That also brings up the 50-run partnership between these two batters.

Tossed up, full and on off, Jos Buttler pushes it to short covers.

Powerplay 3! Now five fielders are allowed outside the circle.

FOUR! Short and punished! Dwarshius errs in line and length as he offers width on off, on the shorter side. It sits up nicely for Duckett who waits on the back foot and slaps it to the right of deep point for a boundary.

On a hard length, tucking the batter up for room, on middle, Buttler wrists it behind square on the leg side for one.

On a back of a length, on middle and leg, Duckett goes deep in the crease for the pull. He is a bit early into the shot and drags it towards deep backward square leg for just one.

From around the wicket now, on a back of a length, on off, Buttler pulls it to deep square leg for one more.

Hurls it on a good length, on middle, Buttler walks across his stumps and flicks it to the right of mid on for a brace.

Short and on middle, Duckett pulls it to deep square leg for a single.

Speared in with a round-arm action, on the pads, on a nagging length, Duckett turns it through square leg and retains the strike with a single.

Fired in, on a nagging length, slapped hard but straight to mid off by Duckett.

This is slower, on middle and leg, Duckett gets low in front for the sweep. Gets more of a top edge but it goes well wide of short fine leg. Zampa goes after it and cuts it off. Two runs taken.

SIX! Good use of the feet and Duckett gets the desired reward! Floated up, full and on off, Duckett puts the dancing shoes on and gets to the pitch of the ball. Tonks it over long off for a biggie.

Darted in, on a nagging length, on middle, Duckett defends it with a straight bat.

Short and on off, Buttler punches it wide of cover for a single.

FOUR LEG BYES! Sliding onto the pads and it is the off-pace delivery, Ben looks to help it away but misses. The ball clips his pads and beats the diving keeper to his right for a boundary.

Dishes it out on a shortish length, on off, Jos hops and whips it wide of mid on for one.

On a nagging length, on off, Ben jabs it to the right of mid-wicket for one more.

Fuller, on off, Buttler eases it down to long off for one.

Angling away, on a good length, Jos stabs it down on the off side.

On a good length, on off, Jos pushes it to mid on.

SIX! The extra delivery proves costly for Australia! Looped by Adam, on middle, Ben steps out and takes it on the full. Does not quite get hold of it but manages to clear the leaping long on fielder for a six.

NO BALL! Low full toss, on off, punched down to long off for a single by Jos. Zampa has overstepped. Free Hit coming up.

This keeps straight, on a nagging length, Buttler looks to work it away with the turn but the ball catches the inside edge onto the pads.

Sliding in, on off, Jos pushes it back to Zampa.

Floated up, on middle, Ben steps out and lofts it on a couple of bounces to long on for one.

Slower and shorter, on middle, Ben hangs back to defend.

FOUR! Nicely done! Tossed up, full and on middle and leg, Duckett gets into the position quickly and nails the reverse sweep over backward point for a boundary.

Another off-pace delivery and this is fuller, on middle, Duckett clips it past mid-wicket for a run.

On a hard length, going across, Buttler stands tall to punch it away. Mishits it towards mid off for another single.

Takes pace off and goes into the deck, on off, Jos rises and dabs it down on the off side.

This is on a short of a good length, cut away to deep cover for one more.

On a nagging length, on off, Ben hangs back to defend.

Full and on off, Jos eases it down to long off for a single.

Beaten! Flatter and shorter, this skids through, Ben looks to cut it late but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Pushed across, near the tramline on off, Ben looks to go over cover but does not quite get hold of it. Gets enough bat on it though to clear cover for a couple.

Full again, on off, drilled down to long on for a single by Jos.

Fuller and slower, on middle, Duckett knocks it down to long on for a single.

Short and on the pads, Buttler hangs back and turns it in front of deep backward square leg for a single to get off the mark.

Skipper Jos Buttler walks out to bat now.

OUT! EXCELLENT CATCH! And it's that man again, Alex Carey! Zampa dishes out a googly, on a nagging length, around off, Brook steps out to go down the ground but the ball catches the outer half of the bat and it gets sliced towards backward point. Carey runs over his left shoulder and dives full-length to that side to grab it. A couple of wickets at a crucial juncture from Zampa just when England were starting to put their foot down.

Outside off, on a short of a good length, Brook pushes it past point and crosses over.

Honing in at the stumps, on a length, Brook blocks it out.

Back to over the wicket and this is dug in short, on middle, pulled through square leg for one more by BD.

Comes from around the wicket for the left-hander and goes full, on off, Ben defends it with a straight bat.

Takes pace off, on a back of a length, Brook clips it through mid-wicket for one.

On a good length, around off, Brook punches it towards backward point where Marnus dives to his right to prevent the single.

FOUR! Innovative! Tossed up, at the stumps, Duckett brings out the reverse and reaches out in front to execute the shot. Hits it to the left of backward point for a boundary.

Fuller and at the stumps, Ben taps it back to the bowler.

Edged but it falls well short! Pushes it across the left-hander and it is slower, Duckett reaches out to force it away on the off side. Gets an outside edge that balloons and drops in front of short third.

Serves a googly, short and on off, Duckett slaps it straight to mid off.

More loop on this one, on off, Brook drives it past cover for a single to get off the mark.

Floated up, knocked down to long on for one.

Drinks! England are going well so far as Ben Duckett has just reached his hundred and they are looking for a total above 350 from here easily. The onus will be on Duckett to bat through as much as he can and play his shot more freely now. The upcoming batters are more destructive for England in Jos Buttler and Liam Livingstone so they are well lined up for a good score. On the other hand, Australia have just chipped in a big wicket of Joe Root and they will be looking to get a couple of wickets in quick time to claw their way back.

On the pads, on a length, Duckett helps it behind square on the leg side for one more.

FOUR! AND THAT IS HUNDRED FOR DUCKETT! Third ODI hundred for the southpaw and he has started the Championṣ Trophy just as he would have liked. Banged into the deck, on middle, Duckett rises with the bounce and also backs away. Rolls his wrists over the ball to slap it along the ground. It races past the bowler's left for four more. He takes the helmet off and soaks in the applause from the crowd and his teammates.

FOUR! Pummeled! On a shortish length, on off, Ben Duckett backs away and gets on top of the bounce. Flat bats it down the deck and beats the bowler to his left for a boundary.

Three dots in a row! On a nagging length, on middle and leg, Ben gets on his toes and nudges it to mid-wicket.

Sliding onto the pads, on the fuller side, Duckett clips it to mid-wicket.

On a back of a length, on middle, Ben hops and tucks it to mid-wicket.

Harry Brook is the next man in.

OUT! LBW! A loud shout and the finger is raised! Root reviews it straight away. Has he got some bat on it or does he think it is sliding down leg? This is pushed through by Zampa, on middle and leg. Too full for the attempted sweep as the ball sneaks under the bat and hits Root on the front pad. The UltraEdge shows no bat involved. 'Waiting for Ball Tracking', says third umpire Kumar Dharmasena. Here it is. The Ball Tracking shows that the ball is clipping the leg stump and it is umpire's call. Root feels hard done by the decision and he walks off shaking his head. The on-field decision is upheld and Australia have a much-needed breakthrough. The 158-run stand is broken. Root goes for 68 (78) and England are now 201/3 in 31 overs.

Fired in, at the stumps, on a length, defended with a straight bat.

This goes straight on, on a nagging length, around off, Root tries to work it away with the turn but miscues it back to the bowler.

Looped up, on middle, Root eases it to mid-wicket.

Pushed across, on off, cut away to deep backward point for one.

Dishes out a googly, short and on off, Duckett pats it back to Zampa.

Back of a length and around off, Ben Duckett cuts it past point for one. That brings up the 200 for England!

Low full toss, outside off, Root slices it down to deep third for one.

On a length and on off, Joe Root keeps it out to the off side.

Short of a length and on middle, Joe Root goes to pull again but gets a top edge. The ball flies towards fine leg where Adam Zampa lets it drop in front of him. Two runs taken.

A sharp bouncer, on middle, but a bit too high, Joe Root sways away from it. It is called a wide. Oh! Spencer Johnson has overstepped too so it is called a No Ball. Free Hit up next...

FOUR! Fine shot! Spencer Johnson bangs this one short on middle. Joe Root picks up the length early, rolls his wrists and pulls it away brilliantly to the deep square leg fence for a boundary. The partnership goes past the 150-run mark now!

Back of a length and on off, Joe Root dabs it to point.

Short again and on off, Joe Root punches it to long off for one.

Floated, full and on middle, Ben Duckett tucks it through square leg for a single.

Quicker, short and on off, Ben Duckett moves back but gets a bit hurried and stabs it to short covers.

Tossed up, full and in middle, Ben Duckett blocks it back to the bowler.

Goes short and on middle, Ben Duckett heaves it wide of deep mid-wicket for a brace. He moves into the 90s now!

FOUR! Up and over! Tossed up, full and on middle and off. Ben Duckett knows mid off is up in the circle. He backs away a bit and lofts it beautifully over that fielder for a boundary.

Back of a length and on off, Ben Duckett punches it through covers for one.

Short of a length and around off, Ben Duckett swats it down to mid-wicket.

Slower, touch fuller and on middle, Joe Root clips it to deep square leg for another run.

Bangs this one short and on middle, angling in, Ben Duckett pulls it to deep square leg for a run.

Hard length and on middle, Joe Root steps across and flicks it through square leg for a single.

Good length and around off, Joe Root pushes it to short covers.

FOUR! Put away! Glenn Maxwell drops it short again and just outside off. Ben Duckett makes a bit of room to free his arms and thrashes it past mid off for a boundary.

Dragged back, on middle, Joe Root pats it to long on for one.

Goes short again and on leg, angling in, Ben Duckett backs away and forces it down to long on for another run.

Flatter, full and on middle, angling in, Ben Duckett guides it to point.

Flighted, full and on middle, Joe Root eases it to long on for a run.

Short and on off, Ben Duckett punches it wide of mid off. Matthew Short moves to his right and makes a good diving stop. A single is taken.

On a length and on leg, Ben Duckett nudges it through square leg for one more.

Nice change of pace! Bangs this into the pitch, outside off, Ben Duckett winds up for the pull but decides against it in the end.

Touch fuller and on middle, Joe Root drives it wide of mid on or one.

Good length and angling into leg, Ben Duckett glances it to fine leg for another run.

Short of a length and around off, Joe Root steers it through point for a run.

Fuller and on middle, slower too, Ben Duckett flicks it to deep square leg for a single.

Nathan Ellis returns to the attack, replacing Glenn Maxwell. 4-0-20-0 so far for Ellis.

Shortish and on off, Ben Duckett guides it through backward point for one more.

Flighted, full and on middle, Joe Root eases it to long on for one.

Floated, full and on middle, Ben Duckett works it past the bowler for another run.

Tossed up, full and on off, Joe Root drills it to long on for a run.

Short again and outside off, Ben Duckett cuts it to deep point for a run.

Shorter in length and around off, Ben Duckett punches it through extra covers for a brace.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Ben Duckett looks to play it with a straight bat but gets an outside edge safely through point for one more.

Short and on middle, Joe Root punches it to long on for one.

Floated, full and outside off, Ben Duckett drills it to deep point for another run.

Quicker, full and on off, angling in, Ben Duckett backs away to cut but chops it down on the pitch.

Flatter, full and on leg, Joe Root clips it through square leg for a run.

Short and around off, Ben Duckett punches it to sweeper covers for a single.

Bangs this into the pitch, on middle, Ben Duckett heaves it to deep square leg for one more.

FiFTY FOR ROOT! As elegant as it gets and he registers his 41st half-century in ODIs! Now, he will want to make it big on a pitch which is a paradise for batters. Good length and on middle, Joe Root glances it to fine leg for one.

Short of a length and on middle, Ben Duckett pulls it nicely to deep square leg but just for a run.

Back of a length and around off, Ben Duckett swats it towards mid-wicket. There is a fumble but no harm done.

Hard length and on off, Ben Duckett stabs it out towards mid on.

On a length and on middle, Joe Root clips it through square leg for a single.

Quicker, full and on leg, Joe Root works it to deep square leg for one. 150 UP FOR ENGLAND!

Fires one full and on the pads, Ben Duckett clips it through square leg for a run.

Flatter, full and on middle, Ben Duckett tucks it to the leg side.

Flighted, full and on middle, Joe Root eases it to long on for a single.

Floated, full and on off, Joe Root pushes it to short covers.

FOUR! Lovely shot! Tossed up, full and on off, Joe Root leans on to his drive nicely and creams it through covers for a boundary.

FOUR! TWO IN TWO! Quicker, full and on middle Ben Duckett goes down across and uses the pace of the ball to paddle it wide of short fine for another boundary. 100-RUN STAND COMES UP!

FOUR! Superb short! Adam Zampa just drags his length back a bit around off. Ben Duckett rocks back quickly and gets on top of the bounce to slap it through extra covers for a boundary.

A googly, full and on middle, turns away, Ben Duckett blocks it out well.

Goes short and on middle and leg, Ben Duckett moves back and pulls it wide of deep mid-wicket for a brace.

Floated, full and on middle, Joe Root clips it through square leg for a single.

Flatter, full and on middle, Joe Root knocks it to the right of the bowler.

Back of a length and outside off, Root hops up a bit and steers it to deep third man for a single.

Comes over the wicket, on a hard length, and on top of off, Root pushes it to mid off.

On a good length, touch outside off, Joe Root looks to guide it towards third man but gets an inside edge onto the pitch just beside the stumps.

Back of a length, around middle, angling into the body, Ben Duckett swivels on the back foot and pulls it along the ground to deep square leg for a single.

Full again but the line is outside off, Root comes forward and drives it to deep cover for a single.

From around the wicket, fuller around middle Root lunges and drives it to mid on.

BEATEN! A googly and wide outside off, tempting length, Ben Duckett's eyes lit up as he saw the width and it was in the slot. He goes for a heave but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Tossed up, around off, Root uses his feet to get to the pitch of the ball and knocks it to long off for a single.

Keeps it on the same length but in the stumps, Root pushes it back to the bowler off the back foot.

Nagging length, and outside off, Root pats at it towards cover.

Nice flight, fuller around off, Duckett clears out his front leg and drills it to long on for a single.

Fuller around middle, Root nudges it wide of mid-wicket for a single.

On a good length, around off, Duckett dabs it to point.

FOUR! THRASHED! BEN DUCKETT COMPLETES HIS FIFTY! On a good length, and touch outside off, back-of-the-hand slower one, Ben Duckett moves across and drags it with a pull shot over mid-wicket for a boundary to complete his milestone. Quite a wonderful inning from the southpaw as he hit the boundaries consistently.

On a good length, around middle, easy for Root to turn it away to deep square leg for a single.

FOUR! EDGED AWAY! Johnson goes fuller and outside off, invites the batter for a drive, from around the wicket, Joe Root comes forward and looks for an expansive drive but manages to get a thick inside edge only. The ball goes past the diving keeper to his left for a boundary.

Short of a length and outside off, Duckett keeps it down towards mid on and there is a fumble there by Travis Head and the batters run for a single.

Back of a length, and touch outside off, Duckett dabs it towards point and wants to have a quick single but is sent back by Joe Root.

Much fuller, around middle, Root clips it off the front foot but straight to mid-wicket.

Tossed up, but on the pads, Duckett flicks it away wide of long on for a single.

BEATEN! A googly and outside off, turns away nicely, Ben Duckett comes forward and looks to push it away for a single to long off but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Fuller this time and outside off, Root strides forward and drives it to deep point for a single.

Nagging length, around off, Root presses back and pushes it to mid-wicket.

A high full toss, around off, Duckett misses out as he only manages to drill it to long on for a single.

Drinks! England have steadied things nicely after losing two wickets. Joe Root and Ben Duckett are looking set and will want to extend this partnership further to set up a base for the next batters. Australia are looking to break this partnership but there is not much help in the wicket so they will have to come up with some different plans to trouble the batters here.

Keeps it shorter, around middle, Duckett opens up and clips it to long on for a single.

Drops it short, around middle, Root goes back and pushes it to long on for a single.

Around leg, follows the batter, Ben Duckett uses his feet and nudges it to long on for a single.

Tossed up, around middle, Duckett presents the full face of the bat to defend it to the left of the bolwer.

Slower, around middle, Root nudges it towards square leg with soft hands and steals a quick single.

Nagging length, around leg, Duckett works it away to deep square leg for a single.

Tossed up, around middle, Ben Duckett turns it wide of mid-wicket for a single.

Drags his length and outside off, Ben Duckett presses back and cuts it in the gap towards deep backward point for a couple of runs.

Slower through the air, around off, Duckett comes forward and steers it to mid off.

A full toss, a bit quicker, around middle, Joe Root gets surprised and manages to keep it down to short fine leg for a quick single.

Gives flight to the ball, and keeps it fuller, but on the pads, Duckett uses his feet and drills it to long on for a single.

Spin from both ends! Zampa bowls fuller and around off and middle, Root comes forward and flicks it to long on for a single.

SIX! CLEAN STRIKE! Maxwell keeps it slower and around off, Ben Duckett walks down the track and hammers it down the ground for a biggie. 100 comes up for England.

Floated up, around middle, Root comes forward and flicks it away to long on for a single.

Darts in fuller, Duckett uses his feet to get to the pitch of the ball and drills it to long on for a single.

Much fuller, in the slot, just outside off, Root strides forward and drives it wide of mid off for a single.

Tossed up, around middle, Duckett comes forward and nudges it to long on for a single. 50 runs for this partnership also comes up.

Fuller and around off, Root pushes it to long on from the back foot for a single.

On a good length and outside off, Root steers it to deep cover for a single.

Hard length, just outside off, Joe Root uses the depth of the crease and opens the face of the bat to guide it down. Glenn Maxwell is alert at backward point as he makes a dive to his left and stops the ball.

Back of a length, around off, Root comes forward and pushes it back to the bowler.

Hard length, angling in, on top of off, Duckett works it away towards mid-wicket for a single.

Nagging length, around off, Ben comes forward and drops it down to mid off.

WIDE! On a good length, but down the leg side, there is a noise but is given wide by the umpire. Ben Duckett has a swing at it but Australia aren't reviewing it.

Fuller but on the pads, Root uses his wrists to flick it away wide of deep square leg for a single.

FOUR! TOP SHOT AS PER THE FIELD! Floated up by Maxwell around middle, Ben Duckett comes down the wicket and lofts it down the ground as mid off is inside the circle.

Much slower and around middle, Duckett comes forward and blocks it out.

Keeps it shorter and outside off, Root presses back and cuts it in the gap towards backward point for a single.

On a nagging length, on the pads, easy for Duckett to turn it towards mid-wicket for a single.

A bit slower and around middle and leg, from around the wicket, Duckett pushes it to the left of the bowler.

Around off, tossed up, Root comes forward and nudges it to long on for a single.

Glenn Maxwell comes into the attack now.

On a good length, around off, Root pushes it wide of cover for a quick single to retain the strike.

Hard length, around off, Root pushes it to mid off.

FOUR! PURE TIMING! On a good length, around middle, Joe Root transfers his weight to the front foot and just uses his wrists to flick it in the gap towards mid-wicket. Matthew Short gives it a chase but the ball races away to the boundary.

Slightly back of a length, just outside off, a bit slower off the deck, Joe Root comes forward and drops it down back to the bowler.

On a good length, around off, Duckett opens the face of the bat and guides it to deep point for a single.

Fuller but on the pads, easy for Joe Root as he comes forward and flicks it to deep square leg for a single.

Powerplay 2! Australia can now have four fielders outside the inner ring till the end of the 40th over. Neither team will be too unhappy about how things panned out in the first ten overs.

FOUR! Gets it through! A bit too full from Dwarshuis, on off, Ben Duckett stays low to make the connection and manages to find the gap with his drive. Threads it between cover and mid off for a boundary. At the end of the first Powerplay, England are 73/2!

On a good length, on off, Root stands tall and knocks it towards mid off where Marnus slides to his left and makes the stop. They cross.

Takes pace off and pulls the length back, on off, Duckett punches it wide of mid off for a single.

Serves it full, on off, Duckett cracks the drive but picks out the man at cover. Throws his head back in disappointment at missing out.

On a back of a length, on off, Root punches it to the left of cover for one more.

Down leg again, full as well, Duckett manages to get some bat on it this time and helps it down to deep fine leg for a single.

Wide! Drifting down leg, on the fuller side, Ben misses the tickle.

Full and on the pads, flicked to deep square leg for one.

On a short of a good length, on off, Ben hangs back and nudges it to mid-wicket.

Bowls the back-of-the-hand slower one, on a back of a length, on off, Root waits on it and steers it down to deep third for one.

At the stumps, on a nagging length, Root gets on his toes and tucks it to the left of deep fine leg for a couple of runs.

On a back of a length, outside off, Root walks across and gets close to the line of the ball. Taps it to backward point.

Ellis hits the bat hard, around off, on a good length, Root pushes it to mid off.

Sliding onto the pads, on a length, Ben fails to flick it away and catches it on the pads.

Good stop! On a length, on off, Root firms the drive down the ground towards mid off. Marnus Labuschagne runs across to his right and dives to save a boundary. Keeps the batters down to just one with his stop.

Fuller and on middle, Root brings his wrists into play and clips it through mid-wicket for two more runs.

On a back of a length, on middle, Root gets on his toes and works it to the left of deep backward square leg for a couple.

Delivers it on a hard length, on off, punched to cover.

Angling away, on a nagging length, Root pats it down the deck with a straight bat.

On a good length, attacking the stumps, Duckett looks to turn it away on the leg side but closes the bat face a bit early. Gets a soft leading edge towards point.

FOUR BYES! That kept low and was not too far away from the off pole! On a good length, on off, Ben stays back to deal with it. The ball stays low and skids through to go under the bat. It sneaks past the off stump and beats the diving keeper to his right. Steve Smith gives it a chase but in vain.

Dishes out the slower one from the back of the hand, on off, on a length, Ben punches it firmly to cover.

Going across, pace on, on a hard length, Duckett punches it to point.

FOUR! A slower one gone wrong for Ellis! Bowls the back-of-the-hand off-pace delivery but it is on the pads, on the fuller side, Ben just helps it away down to the deep fine leg for a boundary. 50 UP FOR ENGLAND!

Slanting into the right-hander, on a nagging length, Root whips it off the back foot to the right of mid on for a single.

Nathan Ellis comes into the attack now.

Lands it on a nagging length, on off, Root presents the full face of the bat and punches it past the non-striker. Carey at mid on gives a chase and cuts it off. Root gets off the mark with three runs!

On a back of a length, on off, Root punches it off the back foot to point.

On a length, on off, Root stabs it down on the off side.

Fuller and on the pads, Root flicks it straight to mid-wicket.

The much-experienced Joe Root comes out to bat at number four.

OUT! CAUGHT! Same position, same result for Australia but the only difference is the difficulty level of the catch. A much easier chance and Alex Carey makes no mistake. Ben hurls it full, on middle and leg, Smith shapes up to go down the ground. Tries to get the elevation but he fails to do so. Hits it flat and straight down the throat of mid on where Carey takes a reverse cup catch around his face.

Full and on middle, on a length, Ben turns it past square leg for a single.

FOUR! Classy shot! Full from Spencer, on off, Smith presses forward and eases the drive between cover and mid off for a boundary.

Mishit but safe! On a hard length, on middle, Smith looks to jab it away off the front foot but ends up hitting it a lot straighter. It goes straight up but he manages to evade the leap of Alex Carey at mid on who took a few steps back and went at it with his right hand. Two runs taken.

FOUR! Easy pickings! Too straight from Spencer, on a length, down leg, Jamie tickles it to the right of deep fine leg for a boundary.

On the pads, on the fuller side, Smith fails to help it away and wears it on the pads.

Play and a miss! Johnson slides it across the right-hander from over the wicket, on a length, Smith plays it well in front of his body as he goes for the drive. Gets beaten on the outside edge.

Lands it on a good length, on off, Smith dabs it down in front of backward point.

Touch fuller, on middle and leg, Smith knocks it to the right of mid on and takes a single.

Keeps it at the stumps, on a short of a good length, Smith hangs back to defend.

On a back of a length, on middle, Smith rides the bounce and keeps it out.

Wide! Tries to push it across but this is beyond the tramline on off, Smith reaches out but does not connect.

Serves it on a hard length, on off, Duckett pushes it wide of cover for a single.

At 129.4 kph, on a length, Duckett goes hard on the drive and looks to play it down the ground. Plays outside the line of the ball and gets an inside edge onto the pads.

FIVE WIDES! Dwarshuis goes searching for the yorker but sprays it down leg, Duckett misses the tickle. The keeper Josh Inglis stands no chance as the ball races past him.

FOUR! Nicely done! Ben drifts onto the pads, on the fuller side, Duckett plants his front foot ahead and picks it up and over square leg for a boundary.

A bit too straight, on a good length, on the pads, Smith fails to help it away and wears it on the pads.

Full at 140.9 kph, on off, Ben is a bit hurried on the drive and miscues it off the inner half of the bat to the right of mid-wicket for one.

Pitched up, on off, BD goes for a straight drive but the bat turns in his hand and he mistimes the shot to mid on.

On middle and leg, on a back of a length, Duckett gets on top of the bounce and jabs it to the left of square leg for a couple of runs.

Angling into the left-hander, on a back of a length, on middle and leg, Duckett tucks it to mid-wicket.

On a hard length, on off, Duckett hops and keeps it out.

FOUR! Lovely shot to get off the mark! Angling away, on off, on a length, Smith takes a couple of steps down the track and drives it all along the ground. Hits it through covers for a boundary.

Full and on off, Smith taps it to mid off.

Jamie Smith walks out to bat at number 3.

OUT! WHAT A GRAB! Is that a bird? Is that a plane? No, it's the man who is usually behind the stumps with the gloves. Alex Carey has just thrown his hat in the ring for the catch of the tournament. Dwarshius stays over the wicket for the right-hander and pitches it up, on middle and leg and there is a bit of inward shape. Salt gets his front pad out of the way and tries to whip it aerially towards mid on. Carey moves quickly to his right and leaps across to his right. Sticks out his right hand over his head and the ball sticks in his grasp. The ball does not pop out even after his elbow hits the turf.

Drags the length back and keeps it on off, Duckett camps back and drops it with soft hands beside the pitch on the leg side for a single to get off the mark.

Attacking the front pad, on a length, Ben gets his bat out in front and flicks it straight to mid-wicket.

Gets a hint of away shape does Ben, around off, very full, Duckett punches it to cover.

Ben Dwarshuis to take up the other new ball.

SIX! Smeared away! It has taken only 6 balls for the first six of the game. Full and on middle and leg, Salt brings his bottom hand into play and clobbers it over deep mid-wicket for a flat six. An expensive start from Johnson. 12 runs off the first over.

FOUR! Sweetly struck! Attacking the stumps, on a length, Salt gets his hands through the line and drills it with a straight bat to the right of mid off for a boundary.

Full again but a tighter line, on off, Salt firms the drive to mid off.

Swing and a miss! On the fuller side, Salt sees the width on offer and throws his hands at the delivery but fails to connect.

Leg bye! A bit too straight, sliding on the pads, on a short of a length, Ben misses the tickle. A leg bye is taken as the ball thuds Ben on the pads and rolls behind on the leg side.

England are underway! Johnson pushes it across the right-hander from over the wicket, on a nagging length, Salt has a swing at it but misses. The ball just keeps going further away as it passes the stumps. The keeper Josh Inglis dives in front of first slip and goes at it with his right glove. The ball clips his glove and goes through the cordon for a bye.

Done with the pre-match formalities! It's now time for two of the biggest rivals to battle it out on the field. The Australian players are taking up their respective field positions. Phil Salt and Ben Duckett are the two openers for England. Spencer Johnson has the new ball in hand and is raring to go. Let's play...

We are moments away from the start of this big clash, but before that, the players from both sides make their way out to the middle and line up for their respective national anthems. It will be England's first followed by the national anthem of Australia.

Phil Salt is in for a chat. With this being the first game of the tournament, he says that are looking to do the basics right, lay a marker and most importantly, come away with a win. On being relieved of the wicketkeeping duties for this game, he says that today is a great opportunity to get involved in the field and make an impact. Mentions that there are a lot of guys in the squad who have done well here and have good knowledge of the conditions, which he hopes will stand the team in good stead. Tells that the India series taught them a lot and it gave them a chance to drill into the basics. States that he and Ben Duckett have different styles and they hit the ball in different areas, but they complement each other well.

The skipper of England, Jos Buttler says that they would have batted first as they are not sure whether dew will be a factor or not. Adds that they are very excited for this game and whenever you play Australia in an ICC event, you want to be part of it. Mentions that Jamie Smith has immense quality and he has shown that in recent times and that they have skilled players around him to help him improve even further.

The captain of Australia, Steve Smith says that it looks like a pretty good surface and adds that there was some dew when they trained at night, hence, they want to bowl first. Mentions that they have two left-arm seamers in Ben Dwarshuis and Spencer Johnson. Talks about the form of Carrey and that he is a quality batter. Concludes it by saying that they are excited for today’s game.

England (Playing XI) - Phil Salt, Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith (WK), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (C), Liam Livingstone, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood.

Australia (Playing XI) - Travis Head, Matthew Short, Steve Smith (C), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (WK), Alex Carey, Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson.

TOSS - Australia have won the toss and they will BOWL first.

PITCH REPORT - Simon Doull is pitchside. He starts by saying that it is a pleasant day in Lahore. Informs that the square boundaries are skewed with 63 metres on one side and 73 metres to the other, while the straight boundary is 74 metres. Mentions that this is a fantastic-looking surface and it is one where the batters will prosper. Adds that it has a nice covering of grass and it is hard underneath. Expects the outfield to be lightning-quick.

The pitch at the Gaddafi Stadium is expected to favour batters, with 300 being crossed in 3 of the last 4 innings. There won’t be much dew but considering that rain has been around Lahore, it could help the pacers extract some movement early on. With both sides having plenty to prove, expect a blockbuster contest in Lahore. Don’t go anywhere as the toss and playing XI aren’t far away!

England, on the other hand, announced their playing XI two days before the match. Joe Root’s experience will be vital, especially after England’s struggles in the India series, where they failed to bat 50 overs in all three matches. Harry Brook will also be key, given his excellent record in Pakistan, while skipper Jos Buttler will be eager to step up after an underwhelming return from injury. Jofra Archer and Mark Wood can generate express speed, while Brydon Carse adds variety with his ability to hit the deck hard and generate extra pace off the wicket. However, their most important bowler would be Adil Rashid, who was England’s best performer in the India series, controlling the middle overs and taking crucial wickets.

Australia face a major setback with key players missing. Their famous pace trio, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood, are unavailable, with Starc pulling out due to personal reasons, while Cummins and Hazlewood are injured. As a result, Steve Smith takes charge as captain, and the onus will be on experienced batters like Travis Head and Glenn Maxwell to carry the team. The new-look pace attack, featuring Nathan Ellis, Spencer Johnson, Sean Abbott, and Ben Dwarshuis, lacks international experience in the format but offers variety. Adam Zampa’s role in the middle overs will be crucial as he is their most reliable wicket-taking option in spin-friendly conditions.

Hello and welcome to the fourth match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 from the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, where Australia and England lock horns in a high-voltage clash. Coming into this event, England suffered a 3-0 whitewash against India, while Australia faced a 2-0 defeat against Sri Lanka. Given the format of the tournament, every game carries immense importance, and a loss here could push either team into a must-win situation moving forward, more so with South Africa and Afghanistan being the other two teams in this group.

... MATCH DAY ...

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set for a fiery showdown as England and Australia lock horns at Lahore’s iconic Gaddafi Stadium. Two of cricket’s fiercest rivals, both teams will be desperate to kick off their campaign with a statement win. England, led by Jos Buttler, are out to prove a point after their crushing 3-0 ODI series defeat to India. But having fully fit Jofra Archer and Mark Wood, their pace attack suddenly looks more menacing. The ever-reliable Joe Root brings experience, while Harry Brook and Liam Livingstone inject raw power into the batting. Ben Duckett and Phil Salt make up a destructive opening pair while the talented Jamie Smith will look to make his mark as well. Spin wizard Adil Rashid will be key in containing Australia’s firepower, but the onus is on Buttler to lead from the front and turn England’s white-ball fortunes around. Meanwhile, Australia enters the tournament with their own share of struggles. Regular skipper Pat Cummins, along with Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Marsh, is sidelined, leaving the Aussies with an inexperienced bowling attack. But under Steve Smith’s captaincy, they remain a dangerous unit. With Marnus Labuschagne and Alex Carey anchoring the batting and Travis Head and Glenn Maxwell ready to unleash fireworks, they won’t go down without a fight. Spencer Johnson steps into the big shoes of Starc, while Adam Zampa and Tanveer Sangha will have to spin their magic on a pitch expected to favor batters. The Gaddafi Stadium promises runs, but under the lights, the pacers could still play a decisive role. Both teams know that a win here isn’t just about two points - it’s about momentum, confidence, and striking an early psychological blow in a tournament where there’s little room for slip-ups. With pride, history, and a potential semi-final spot at stake, expect nothing less than an electrifying contest between two giants of the game.