Champions Trophy: It Was Always Going To Be Better Batting Second, Says Inglis After Australia’s Win

Champions Trophy: It was always going to be better batting second, says Inglis after Australia’s win (Image Source: IANS)

Josh Inglis: Wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis, the hero in Australia’s record run chase of 352 which helped them beat England by five wickets with a sublime 120, said the team knew conditions at the Gaddafi Stadium would be better in the second half of the match.

Inglis, born in Yorkshire and brought up in Australia, hit an unbeaten 120 off 86 balls, laced with eight fours and six sixes, to help Australia complete the chase with 15 balls to spare and win a crucial Group B game. Australia now hold the record for the highest successful chase in the history of ICC Men's ODI tournaments, as well as in a men’s ODI game in Lahore.

At one point, Australia were in trouble at 136/4, before Inglis and Carey put on a match-winning fifth-wicket stand of 146 runs in 116 balls to eventually reach home with ease. "Over the moon, great win. 350, a lot of things have got to go right to chase that down. Really pumped on a personal level and for the guys out there. It was a great performance. Not too much talk at half-time, we'd done a lot of talking before the game.”

“We knew that the second half here was going to be tough with all the dew, and the wicket skidded on nicely. It was always going to be better batting second. Alex doesn't really say anything when he bats. I was just trying not to look at the scoreboard too much.”

“We knew with Maxi still in the shed, if we could get him into the last 10 overs, we'd always be a chance. I was just trying to tick over with the spin and be really proactive. We knew at the back end that it would skid on nicely. It's a short, sharp tournament so to go one from one is really important," said Inglis after the match ended.

Australia captain Steve Smith appreciated the batters barring him and Travis Head getting big runs in an uphill chase and was appreciative of his bowlers stemming the run-flow in the last ten overs of England’s innings.

"The guys were outstanding, Matt Short played beautifully, and Travis and I were the only two to miss out. We would have bowled first regardless, given how wet it got in training. It slowed up in the first innings and we thought 350 was chaseable.”

“The two keepers have been batting beautifully, in great form, Josh didn't get out of second gear, shots all around the ground. I don't know if Josh still has an English passport, but he's not going anywhere!"

“Looked like they'd get 400 but we trusted each other's skills, took pace off at the right times, hit hard lengths, squeezed and controlled the back end. Marnus bowled nicely too and took a few wickets.”

Jos Buttler, England skipper, rued that Ben Duckett’s magnificent 165 ended in a losing cause and credited Australia for being clinical in their run chase. "A fantastic game, both sides played well, credit to Australia, fantastic innings from Inglis. 350 is a pretty good score, but it was wet and the dew was a worry.”

“Looked like they'd get 400 but we trusted each other's skills, took pace off at the right times, hit hard lengths, squeezed and controlled the back end. Marnus bowled nicely too and took a few wickets.”

Article Source: IANS