Rain plays spoilsport in New Zealand-Australia encounter at Edgbaston

Sport360 staff 22:35 02/06/2017

New Zealand and Australia shared a point each after the ICC Champions Trophy match between the two teams at Edgbaston, Birmingham on Friday was abandoned due to rain.

The Blackcaps will consider themselves a little unlucky as they seemed to have the upper hand with Australia – chasing a revised target of 235 in 33 overs – reduced to 53/3 in nine overs.

Earlier, a century from captain Kane Williamson helped New Zealand to 291 before they were bowled out. Williamson notched up his ninth ODI ton as he scored exactly 100 from 97 deliveries. He was well supported by Luke Ronchi, who scored 65 from 43 balls, and Ross Taylor who fell four runs short of a fifty.

New Zealand’s innings was reduced to 46 overs due to rain, but thanks to some fine bowling from Josh Hazlewood, the Kiwis lost all 10 of their wickets in just 45 overs. They were 254/3 at one point, but the wicket of Williamson brought about a batting collapse which saw them lose seven wickets for just 37 runs.

Hazlewood picked up his career-best bowling figures in ODI cricket, ending with six wickets for 52 runs in his nine overs.

In reply, the Aussies lost the wickets of David Warner, Aaron Finch, and Moises Henriques with the impressive New Zealand right-arm quick Adam Milne taking two scalps.

The rain though had the last laugh as the match was called off without a result being possible.

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