AGENCY
BIRMINGHAM: Rain came to the rescue for Australia as its Champions Trophy match against New Zealand was frustratingly abandoned as a no result at Edgbaston on Friday.
Set a victory target of 235 off 33 overs, the world champion was struggling at 53-3 after nine overs when the players went off the field for a third rain delay of the match.
They did not come back on and both teams collected a point in Group A.
The Australians can consider themselves fortunate as they were behind the run rate and lost explosive openers David Warner (18) and Aaron Finch (8), as well as Moises Henriques (18).
Kane Williamson led from the front with a brisk century as New Zealand produced a dominant batting performance to amass 291 against Australia in their opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy here today.
Williamson made 100 off 97 balls with the help of eight fours and three sixes, while Luke Ronchi scored a quick 65 off 43 balls up the order to set the base for New Zealand’s total of 291 all out in a rain-curtailed affair between the Trans- Tasman rivals at Edegbaston.
Josh Hazzlewood ran through New Zealand’s lower-order and returned with impressive figures of six for 52 from his nine overs.
The match was reduced to 46-over-a-side affair after a spell of rain halted the proceedings for a brief period.
New Zealand made a good start after opting to bat with Martin Guptill (26) and Ronchi looked settled from the word go.
The duo added 40 runs in 34 balls before Guptill found a leading edge while trying to flick Hazzlewood and Glenn Maxwell took a simple catch at point.
The fall of wicket, however, did not have any effect on Ronchi’s approach as he went about his normal attacking style of play.
Ronchi was particularly severe on Patt Cummins (1/67) as he continued his onslaught and struck the pacer for a six and four in consecutive balls in the 13th over. Ronchi had his share of luck as Mitchell Starc dropped a simple chance at mid-on.
score board
New Zealand innings
MJ Guptill c Maxwell b Hazlewood 26
L Ronchi† c Maxwell b Hastings 65
KS Williamson* run out (Henriques/Cummins) 100
LRPL Taylor c Henriques b Hastings 46
NT Broom c Maxwell b Hazlewood 14
JDS Neesham c Warner b Hazlewood 06
CJ Anderson c Henriques b Cummins 08
MJ Santner c Smith b Hazlewood 08
AF Milne c Maxwell b Hazlewood 11
TG Southee not out 00
TA Boult c †Wade b Hazlewood 00
Extras 07
Total 291/10
Australia innings
DA Warner c †Ronchi b Boult 18
AJ Finch c Taylor b Milne 08
SPD Smith* not out 08
MC Henriques c & b Milne 18
Extras 01
Total 53/3
