England defeated Australia by 40 runs at Edgbaston just few moments ago via D/L method to knock out the 5 time Champions out of the Champions Trophy 2017. Steve Smith, Aaron Finch and Travis Head contributions helped them to reach 277 for 9 in 50 overs.
The Australian team started well taking 3 early wickets but Ben Stokes and Eoin Morgan put on 159 runs. Rain arrived again and Bangladesh qualified for the CT 2017 semi-finals.
England captain Eoin Morgan won the toss and elected to field at Edgbaston today. Aaron Finch and David Warner gave the team a solid start with both of them scoring 40 runs for first wicket in 7.2 overs before Warner was dismissed for 21.
At the end of 10 overs, Australia was 56 for 1. After the powerplay overs, Aaron Finch and Steve Smith steadied the innings with attacking strokes from both batsmen. The explosive right handed batsman Finch completed his half century in 47 balls.
Finch was dismissed by Ben Stokes for a well-made 68 ending the 96 runs partnership for the second wicket. The rest of the batting order failed to cash on the start given by Smith and Aaron Finch. Adil Rashid bowled well with Mark Wood which put pressure on Australian batsmen. Steve Smith completed his fifty in 68 balls. From 239 for 4 in the 42.3 overs, Australia lost wickets at regular intervals and was 254 for 9 in 46.4 overs. The last wicket added crucial runs at the end with Travis Head remaining not out on 71 in 64 balls. Australia scored 277 for 9 in 50 overs.
Chasing the target of 278, Jason Roy was dismissed off the second ball by Mitchell Starc for 4. Soon after Alex Hales was caught by Aaron Finch off Hazlewood bowling for 0. Australia took the important wicket of Joe Root for 15 runs. Before the rain arrived England were 35 for 3 in 6 overs with Eoin Morgan and Ben Stokes at the crease.
Both batsmen after the break counter attacked the Australian bowlers as they had no answers to their powerhitting. Ben Stokes and Eoin Morgan played with freedom never allowing Australia to settle. Ben Stokes completed his half century in 39 balls while Eoin Morgan in 51 balls respectively. Morgan was run out for 87 runs ending a 159 runs stand for the fourth wicket.
Jos Buttler joined Ben Stokes with England still needing 84 runs to win. Buttler showed his class with excellent hitting from the pace bowlers and also spinners. Stokes completed his 3rd ODI century in 108 balls before rain arrived again at 240 for 4 in 40.2 overs. England won the match by 40 runs via D/L method to knock Australia out of the tournament.
England 240 for 4 in 40.2 overs ( Ben Stokes 102*, Eoin Morgan 87, Josh Hazlewood 2/ 50) beat Australia 277 for 9 in 50 overs ( Travis Head 71*, Aaron Finch 68, Mark Wood 4/33, Adil Rashid 4/41) by 40 runs via D/L method
England 2 Australia 0
India will take on South Africa in an do and die match at Oval tomorrow.
