Tigers' eyes on today's match
There may not be many fans of the England cricket team in Bangladesh, but it is certain that everyone in the country will be rooting for them after Bangladesh's win over New Zealand, when England meet Australia in the final Champions Trophy Group A match in Birmingham today.
Despite the Tigers' sublime five-wicket victory over the Kiwis yesterday, their fate in the tournament rests on today's match. Bangladesh are one point ahead of Australia, meaning that a win for the English, who have already qualified for the semifinals, would see the Tigers through to the their first Champions Trophy semifinal berth.
However, Australia remain confident of beating England in their Champions Trophy clash, even if defeating the English weather has so far proved beyond them.
Steven Smith's side endured the frustration of having Monday's clash with Bangladesh abandoned due to rain, just days after their opening Group A fixture against New Zealand was also washed out.
On both occasions, it has been Australia who were batting in the early stages of their innings when bad weather ended play.
With two points from their two matches, Australia now have to beat England to be certain of a place in the semi-finals of a tournament featuring the world's top eight one-day intentional teams.
"I think it makes the equation pretty simple for us," said Smith, whose side suffered an Edgbaston defeat by England during the last Champions Trophy four years ago.
"We have to beat England and then I think we're through. I haven't really read into anything else that's happened."
Australia's pacemen, led by Mitchell Starc, have started to find their form and they would love nothing more than a go at the old enemy this weekend.
England, by contrast, have managed to dodge the bad weather sufficiently to beat both Bangladesh and New Zealand in convincing fashion to book their semi-final spot regardless of Saturday's outcome.
But captain Eoin Morgan wants no let-up against World Cup champions Australia as England go in search of their first major ICC 50-over title.
Comments