Josh Inglis had his priorities straight. After blasting a career-best 120 not out in Lahore to help Australia beat England in the Champions Trophy, he immediately checked his phone.
Read Also...:
'I'm very, very angry' - Mikel Arteta says Arsenal title hopes 'not in our hands'
02-23, 2025
Six Nations: England move into title mix with win over Scotland
02-23, 2025
Beterbiev vs Bivol 2: Dmitry Bivol majority decision points win over Artur Beterbiev
02-23, 2025
Man City: Why Pep Guardiola's tactics stopped working amid rise of rapid football
02-23, 2025Coventry City had beaten Preston North End 2-1. It was a good night all around for the Australian star. For Inglis, the Australian match-winner born and raised in Yorkshire, he supports the "Sky Blues" of Coventry City.
The 29-year-old lived just outside Leeds until he was 14 and played for Yorkshire's youth teams. When he was named sportsman of the year at St Mary's Menston comprehensive school, the Kaiser Chiefs, West Yorkshire's famous sons of music, presented him with the award. Inglis even admitted he was still supporting England as late as 2017, when he was trying to win a place in the Australia side.
"I think those days are gone," the right-handed batter said shortly after helping Australia complete the highest chase in the 50-year history of global white-ball cricket. Inglis moved to Western Australia at 15 when his English-born mother, Sarah, and Coventry-born father, Martin (hence the football allegiance), moved the family to Australia. Any trace of a Yorkshire accent was left on the plane.
He now speaks with a broad Australian accent, sports a bushy beard, wears his cap backwards, and faces the media in flip-flops. There were no divided loyalties in his stunning assault. Australia were 136-4 when Inglis got going - England were firm favourites, and Inglis's former Yorkshire second XI teammate Adil Rashid was weaving a web.
He started by sweeping the ball to all corners of Lahore, then punished England's bowlers whenever they dropped too short. Finally, he unfurled a shot made famous by another Yorkshireman - Joe Root - reverse-scooping over the third-man rope. It meant the chase of 352, the ninth-highest in the history of one-day international cricket, was completed with 15 balls to spare.
Inglis has flickered in international cricket, but the past month has been his breakthrough moment. He scored a century in his maiden Test match last month, but he considered this his greatest day. "This is really special," Inglis said. "In that situation, in an ICC (International Cricket Council) event, you want to make an impact and win games."
For much of Saturday, it looked like Ben Duckett had laid down a marker, then Jofra Archer and Mark Wood accounted for Travis Head and Steve Smith. In fact, Inglis may have done his biggest favour ahead of striding out in Perth on November 21. Talk of the Ashes must wait for the team Inglis used to support. There were no clouds in Lahore, but it was still raining heavily for England, who have now lost 11 of their past 15 games.
This was supposed to be the day their batting finally clicked - the highest score in the Champions Trophy was made, only to be surpassed by a player born in their heartlands. Sometimes you just have to smile. "I just think you've got to give credit to the opposition sometimes," said a composed captain Jos Buttler. "I thought Josh Inglis played an unbelievable innings." This time, it was hard to argue.
Duckett had played a fine innings of 165, playing in the style most people have been asking for. Intent was controlled, gaps were exploited, and the score was built steadily rather than thrown away in a rush. England's top order have been asked to go on and make hundreds to overcome their tendency to get good starts and get out - Duckett made England's highest score in the Champions Trophy or World Cup. Their 351-8 was the highest in the Champions Trophy. It mattered little against Inglis's way.
In fact, England's biggest failing this time was not made in Lahore on Saturday, but in London before Christmas - or at least after Jacob Bethell pulled his hamstring in Nagpur. Four wicketkeepers, one specialist spinner, and one batting all-rounder in their squad meant England were always going to fail in their search for the perfect balance. Up against Australia's four frontline bowlers, Buttler had nowhere to go when Brydon Carse had the toughest day of his England shirt so far - even if Liam Livingstone and Joe Root bowled well as fifth bowlers.
It is feeling more and more as if Bethell's injury has hurt England more than it initially seemed, with his left-arm spin offering another option. Without him, Buttler now faces a critical week in his reign as England's white-ball captain. After a dismal defence of their 50-over world title in 2023, and last year's uninspired attempt to retain their T20 crown, he cannot afford a group-stage exit here.
Matthew Mott is expendable enough to take the blame for previous failings, but Brendon McCullum has been given all the keys to England to shape as he pleases until 2027, and he won't. Instead, Buttler will be in the firing line if this group stage does not turn around. Next up is Afghanistan in four days' time - the team who beat England during the World Cup 16 months ago - then South Africa, some people's favourites for the title, likely needing to win both games.
England once again face questions, some of which have no easy answers. Inglis gave England (Sky) Blue colours.
