Australia-New Zealand match abandoned

Sport Desk: Kane Williamson's fluent century was the highlight of what was an otherwise disappointing day as rain washed out the second Group A match of the ICC Champions Trophy between New Zealand and Australia, on Friday.

Chasing a revised target of 235 from 33 overs following two rain interruptions, Australia were struggling at 53 for three in nine overs when heavens opened up for the third time in the day, forcing the on-field umpires to abandon the game as both the sides split points.

New Zealand might be cursing the heavens as the stakes were loaded heavily in their favour when rain stopped the play for the third time in the match.

Adam Milne (2/9) rocked Australia's chase even as Steve Smith (8 not out) was holding the fort at the other end.

Earlier, New Zealand skipper Williamson led from the front with a brisk century as the Kiwis produced a dominant batting performance to amass 291.

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 Edgbaston.

Josh Hazlewood 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.

Later on, just at the stroke of lunch another spell of showers interrupted the match for the second time, which meant Australia's target was revised to 235 off 33 overs.

David Warner (18) and Aaron Finch (8) made cautious start to their chase piling up 27 runs off the first five overs.

But Australia were dealt a massive blow in the first delivery of the next over in the form of Warner, who edged one to Luke Ronchi behind the stumps of the bowling of Trent Boult.

Milne then struck twice in quick time, removing Finch and Moises Henriques to derail Australia's chase before heavens opened up for the third time in the match with the Aussies in a spot of bother at 53 for three in nine overs.
 

risingbd/Dhaka/June 3, 2017/A K Azad