Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo
MORE than two decades after Andy Flower played a vintage innings against India, setting the new record of the highest individual score in the Champions Trophy, England’s Ben Duckett now holds the record.
Back in 2002, Flower scored a brilliant 145 runs off 164 deliveries against an Indian attack that had the likes of Zahir Khan, Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble.
For years, Flower’s record stood as a beacon of resilience and a symbol of individual brilliance.
In an era where big scores in major tournaments were not as frequent as today, his 145 was more than just runs. It was a statement of the quality of cricketers who could rise above the odds.
Fast forward to 2025 and the cricket world was buzzing with excitement.
No one could have predicted that Duckett would shatter Flower and Nathan Astle’s record.
The 30-year-old England opening batter scored a brilliant 165 runs off 143 deliveries.
Both Duckett and Flower’s brilliant individual innings came in losing causes as England and Zimbabwe fell short against their opponents.
Despite showcasing outstanding individual performances, their heroics were unable to clinch victories for their sides, underscoring the sometimes bittersweet nature of remarkable individual feats.
Zimbabwe, chasing a target of 289 runs to win, lost the match by 14 runs as they were restricted to 274/8 in 50 overs.
Duckett’s impressive innings came in England’s Champions Trophy opener against Australia in Lahore, Pakistan on Saturday.
England were sent in to bat first and finished their innings on a massive 351/8 courtesy of Duckett’s ton and a Joe Root half century.
However, Australia − led by Josh Inglis − went on to show their prowess, chasing down the target in 47.3 overs, finishing on 356/5 to win by five wickets.
Inglis finished on an unbeaten 120 runs off just 86 deliveries to guide Australia to the highest successful chase in men’s ICC tournaments.
