Published on 03:15 PM, June 02, 2017

ICC Champions Trophy: Australia 53/3 as rain arrives again

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson runs for a single during their ICC Champions trophy match against Australia at Edgbaston in Birmingham on June 2, 2017. Photo: Afp
Star Online Report

Australia were reduced to 53 for three in nine overs, chasing a revised target of 235 from 33 overs, before rain stopped play yet again during their Group A encounter of the ICC Champions Trophy against New Zealand in Edgbaston, Birmingham today.

David Warner, Aaron Finch and Moises Henriques fell cheaply, with Adam Milne taking two wickets in his first two overs.

Earlier, Josh Hazlewood took six wickets for 52 runs as New Zealand were bowled out for 291 in 45 overs, in the 46-over-a-side affair, after Kane Williamson's 100 had given the Black Caps a great opportunity to post a 300-plus total.

Williamson scored 100 off 97 deliveries, with eight fours and three sixes in his innings. Martin Guptill was the first one dismissed for 26 by Hazlewood while Luke Ronchi perished after playing a 43-ball 65. Ross Taylor got out for 46.

Earlier, Williamson won the toss and opted to bat first. Australia skipper Steven Smith seemed satisfied with losing the toss as he said: "I was probably going to bowl first anyway. Preparation's been good. The rain-out against Pakistan wasn't ideal. The guys are in a good headspace. This is a big tournament, we pride ourselves on how we perform in these tournaments." 

The first match of the tournament, as well as this group, ended in a comprehensive eight-wicket victory for England over Bangladesh on Thursday.

New Zealand: Guptill, Ronchi (wk), Williamson (capt), Taylor, Broom, Neesham, Anderson, Santner, Milne, Southee, Boult

Australia: Warner, Finch, Smith (capt), Maxwell, Head, Henriques, Wade (capt), Hastings, Starc, Cummins, Hazlewood

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