New Zealand will not be happy with the ‘Rain Gods’ as initially, they made the task easier for them followed by disappointing them with a no-show against Australia at Edgbaston, Birmingham. Australia were struggling with 3 for 53 in 9 overs as they needed a revised target of 235 from 33 overs according to the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method. But, after repeated rain showers the match had to get abandoned with both the sides sharing one point each in Group A of ICC Champions Trophy 2017.
Australia were in serious trouble as they had lost both the openers David Warner and Aaron Finch followed by all-rounder Moises Henriques getting out cheaply as well. Steven Smith was leading the chase which would have been difficult as far as the ground conditions were concerned. Adam Milne was on a rampage before rain stopped play as he took 2 wickets for 9 removing Henriques and Finch.
Mood #CT17 #NZvAUS pic.twitter.com/q0uknYWI4Y
— ICC (@ICC) June 2, 2017
Earlier, thanks to skipper Kane Williamson’s valiant 100, the Kiwis were able to post a total of 291 all out in 45 overs in a rain-curtailed first inning of 46 overs. New Zealand got off to a flier despite Martin Guptill throwing his wicket away early on. Luke Ronchi kept the run rate over 6 runs per over with his quickfire of 65 from 43 balls. Ross Taylor missed his half-centuries by four runs.
WATCH: All three Australia wickets! #CT17
Warner: https://t.co/v9LHOq2hFC
Finch: https://t.co/72ELhHgU36
Henriques:https://t.co/7Ql7f5T0AZ pic.twitter.com/ueEbneEsTj— ICC (@ICC) June 2, 2017
However, they suffered a batting collapse soon after Williamson’s run out, they lost 7 wickets in a matter of 47 runs and with 1 over to spare. The only plus point for Australia from their first game was Josh Hazlewood picking up 6 wickets for 52 and becoming the second best bowler in the list of best bowling figures.
Match abandoned, but plenty of entertaining cricket played as usual in a trans-tasman fixture!#CT17 ^WN pic.twitter.com/ZkyipoyDQs
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) June 2, 2017
Brief Scores:
New Zealand 291 all out in 45 overs (46 overs maximum) (Luke Ronchi 65, Kane Williamson 101; Josh Hazlewood 6 for 52) vs Australia 53 for 3 in 9 overs (33 overs maximum) (Moises Henriques 18, David Warner 18; Adam Milne 2 for 9, Trent Boult 1 for 28)
