Aussies facing stark reality
AUSTRALIA are staring at an early Champions Trophy exit and a mustwin blockbuster against England on Saturday after their second consecutive washout.
Steve Smith’s side got out of jail against the Kiwis at Edgbaston last Friday, when they looked to be heading towards defeat before rain intervened.
But last night against Bangladesh their luck deserted them at the Oval as a downpour cut the match short four overs away from what would have been a winning DuckworthLewis verdict, the Aussies 83-1 chasing 183 with 33 overs spare.
Such vicissitudes leave Australia with two points from two games and needing to win against England at Edgbaston to have any chance of progressing to the last four. And an early departure would leave Smith cursing the British weather after his side had produced an improved performance following his public criticism of the bowlers in their Group A opener.
Mitchell Starc provided the most eloquent response with the ball, taking 4-29, including a triplewicket maiden to finish off the Bangladesh innings.
Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins both delivered disciplined performances, taking a wicket each, and there was a telling intervention from bottle-blonde legspinner Adam Zampa, with 2-13 in four overs.
Australia were delayed in taking the field in reply but it was the arrival of rain 16 overs in that scuppered them.
Tournament rules require the chasing side to complete 20 overs before the DuckworthLewis calculations can decide a game.