Australian washout helps Blackcaps chances of Champions Trophy knockout qualification

Australia were firmly on course in their chase, cruising to 83-1 in 16 overs before rain swept in.

Australia would expect a better show from their bowlers when they clash against an ever-improving Bangladesh in a Group A ICC Champions Trophy 2017 encounter at the Kennington Oval on Monday.

Twenty overs needed to be completed for a result and with David Warner (40 ) and skipper Smith (22) at the crease, a win seemed a formality under the Duckworth/Lewis system.

After the presentation, which was very brief, when he attended the press briefing Mashrafe said that he was very happy with a point that they did not deserve.

In the end the Tigers failed to build any real momentum and would surely have tasted defeat if not for the weather coming to their rescue.

With two points from their two matches, Australia will have to beat hosts England in Birmingham on June 10 to reach the semifinals. He picked up three wickets in five deliveries in the 43rd over for a triple wicket maiden, just missing out on a hat-trick, before cleaning up Mehedi Hasan to end with figures of 4 for 29, validating Smith’s ploy of changing ends for Zampa, who had success at the other, and replacing him with Starc.

“It would have been nice to get some warm-up matches in there. but it’s nice to get some time in the legs”.

Starc destroyed Bangladesh late in the innings with a sensational death bowling display.

The match’s toss will be done 30 minutes prior to the first ball of the game.

Bangladesh became bogged down and their only ray of light was Tamim, who hit a six and two fours before sealing his own half-century in the 24th over, with his side 90 for three.

Steve Smith insists Australia’s batsmen will be ready for their do or die Champions Trophy showdown with England despite their lack of action in the tournament.

However, they’ve got company at the top of the tree, with the defending champions, India, signalling their determination to retain their trophy with a record-breaking demolition of Pakistan at Edgbaston.

One down Imrul Kayes (6) was beaten by Pat Cummins’ pace as the batsman offered a simple catch to Aaron Finch at cover point as Bangladesh were reduced to 37 for 2 in the 11th over.

Their middle-order mainstay Mushfiqur Rahim (9) was adjudged lbw off Moises Henriques and walked off as soon as the umpire delivered his verdict.

Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan attempted to steady the boat, adding 69 runs between them.

Blessed with a plethora of bowling options skipper Smith is never short of alternatives with the ball and the quite wonderfully groomed Adam Zampa, whose carefully crafted barnet wouldn’t be out of place in Summer Bay, rewarded him nearly immediately seeing off Sabbir Rahman and then Mahmudullah, both for eight.

Bangladesh were all out for 182 in 44.3 overs.