The stand-in Australian captain left the cricket world stunned with a number of unbelievable calls.

Josh Inglis has produced a career-best knock to help Australia defeat England as Steve Smith’s bold captaincy move praised in the nation’s first Champions Trophy win in 16 years. Australia looked to be scrambling for wickets on a flat and lifeless pitch in their opening clash against fierce rivals England.

England were 5-280 with 10 overs still to play as Smith showed his tactical acumen to rein in their rivals. In a move that left cricket fans absolutely flabbergasted, Smith opted to bowl Marnus Labuschagne for eight overs to mix-up the approach on the pitch.

Steve Smith’s (pictured) bold captaincy move has been lauded in Australia’s victory over England in the Champions Trophy. (Images: Getty Images)

Adam Zampa tied down one end with Dwiarshius the standout bowler taking three wickets. But in an attempt to tie England down, Smith was out of bowlers at the death with Nathan Ellis, Dwiarshius and Zampa all having bowled 10 overs.

Instead, Smith opted against Spencer Johnson on a flat deck and went for Labuscghagne to bowl the ultimate over. Despite going for 15, Labuscghagne took a wicket and was solid enough to help Australia chase a respectable total of 8-351.

Australia’s run-chase got off to a shaky start with Travis Head and Steve Smith failing at the top of the order. But up stepped in-form batter Inglis.

Having only just been handed his baggy green in Sri Lanka earlier this month, Inglis showed he is in the form of his life having blasted 120 off 86 balls.

Matt Short and Glenn Maxwell stuck around with Inglis as Australia chased down a record-total in ICC tournaments with 15 balls to spare. Inglis became just the fourth Australian to score a century in all cricket formats.

He also achieved the feat in the least amount of innings of any Australia. Inglis’ maiden ODI century came at the perfect time for Australia with Smith taking over Pat Cummins as captain.

Josh Inglis (pictured) won the game for Australia with his maiden ODI century.

Steve Smith’s captaincy praised at Champions Trophy

Smith was always going to face a more difficult task than normal with a number of the Australian World Cup winning stars missing from action at the Champions Trophy.

The team is without veterans Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Mitch Marsh with Smith looking to make history as captain at the Champions Trophy.

However, just like he did during the Sri Lankan series as stand-in captain, Smith continues to prove he has one of the best tactical mindsets in the game.

After Smith led Australia to a 2-0 win over Sri Lanka, former captain Michael Clarke suggested Smith is probably a better tactical leader than Cummins.

And while Cummins has nearly won it all in his few years leading Australia, many feel Smith’s mindset is built for the role.

Steve Smith (pictured left) was brilliant helping hold England to 351 runs with the help of Adam Zampa (pictured right).
Former England captain Michael Vaughan said Smith was the best captain of any nation at the Champions Trophy and it was on show against England as he mixed-up his field and bowling tactics to slow England down when they had plenty of wickets in the bank. Smith also won the toss and elected to bowl.

“For a moment, it looked like they were probably going to get over 400, so we’re pleased by that effort,” Smith said of the bowling unit. “We thought around 350 was going to be chaseable, and, yeah, we were confident we could chase this down.”

Smith acknowledged how well his team performed when it mattered and he wasn’t the only one with fans praising the captain as he looks to add new title to his trophy cabinet as captain.

Questions still remain on whether Smith is the best tactical leader for Australia with Cummins currently taking a short break from the game.

Josh Inglis revels in maiden ODI century

While Smith showed he can lead Australia to a victory in the tournament, Inglis has pushed his case as an undroppable star for Australia. Speaking after the game, Inglis was thrilled to have achieved the feat as his brilliant 2025 season continues.

“I’m over the moon, great win,” Inglis said. “We knew it was going to be tough going up against England, and 350 – a lot of things have got to go right to chase that down.

“I’m just really pumped on a personal level, and for the guys out there it was a great performance. It’s only a short-sharp tournament, so to go one from one is really important.”