Duckett’s Stylish 165 Sets Record as England Posts 351
Reaching the nervous nineties can be daunting for any batsman, but Ben Duckett showed no signs of pressure. Standing at 93, he smashed a brilliant boundary, followed by another in the next delivery, to reach his much-awaited century in style.
The left-handed opener didn’t stop there. He went on to script history, recording the highest individual score in Champions Trophy history. England, too, set a new benchmark for the highest team total in the tournament.
Facing Australia in Lahore on Saturday, Duckett played a magnificent knock of 165 runs off 143 balls, laced with 17 fours and 3 sixes. He became the first batter to score 150 or more in a Champions Trophy match.
Before Duckett’s milestone, the highest individual score in the tournament belonged to New Zealand’s Nathan Astle, who had remained unbeaten on 145 against the USA in 2004.
That same match saw the Kiwis post a then-record 347 for 4, which has now been surpassed by England. Powered by Duckett’s century and Joe Root’s 68, England finished with a commanding 351 for 8, setting a new record in the Champions Trophy.
