The second match between of the Champions Trophy 2017 between Australia and New Zealand was called off due to rain at Edgbaston just few moments. It was a rain curtailed match with New Zealand scoring 291 in 45 overs. The target was revised to 235 in 33 overs as Australia was struggling at 53 for 3 in 9 overs as rain reduced the chances of New Zealand winning. Both the teams shared one point each.
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson won the toss and elected to bat at Edgbaston earlier today. Luke Ronchi and Martin Guptill gave the team a flying start scoring 40 runs in 5.4 overs before Guptill was dismissed for 26 in 22 balls. Rain stopped play when the score was 67 for 1 in 9.3 overs and the match was reduced to 46 overs side after the break. Luke Ronchi attacked the Australian bowlers and put them under enormous pressure with his big hitting. He completed his half century off 33 balls.
Ronchi continued to play attacking strokes and was finally dismissed cutting the ball straight to Maxwell at the score of 65 in 43 balls with 9 fours and 3 sixes. Both Williamson and Ronchi put on 77 runs in quick time. Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson continued to push on New Zealand score. The New Zealand captain completed his half century in 62 balls. After completing his fifty, Williamson and Taylor dominated the Australian bowling. Ross Taylor was dismissed for 46 as the captain completed his 9th ODI century in 96 balls.
From 216 for 3 in 33.5 overs, the Australian bowlers made a brilliant comeback to restrict the New Zealand to 291 all out in 45 overs. Josh Hazlewood picked the 2nd best figures in Champions Trophy history taking 6 for 52 in 9 overs.
Australia got a revised target of 235 in 33 overs. David Warner and Aaron Finch started the innings slowly scoring 19 runs in first four overs. The left handed dynamic Warner was dismissed trying to up the scoring of climbing run rate. He was dismissed for 18 in 16 balls with 1 four and 1 six. In the 7th over Adam Milne got the big wicket of Aaron Finch to leave the Australian team at 35 for 2. Adding 18 more runs, Australia lost the third wicket of Moises Henriques for just 18 runs.
After 9 overs in the Australian innings, the match was called off as the rain spoiled the game. Both Australia and New Zealand earned 1 point each.
New Zealand 291 in 45 overs (Kane Williamson 100, Luke Ronchi 65, Josh Hazlewood 6/52)
Australia 53 for 3 in 9 overs (David Warner 18, Moises Henriques 18, Adam Milne 2/9)
Result: Match Called off
New Zealand 1, Australia 1
In tomorrow’s match, Sri Lanka will face South Africa at Kennington Oval, London
