For the second game in succession, rain ruined Australia’s bid for victory in the Champions Trophy, but even Mother Nature couldn’t keep Mitchell Starc and David Warner from reaching milestones.
Throwing away the cobwebs, Starc crushed the Bangladesh tail with three wickets in four balls, before Warner became the fastest Australian to crack 4000 ODI runs.
Skipper Steve Smith made some very odd bowling decisions against Bangladesh, but in dismissing them for 182, it’s a bit hard to argue against his rationale.
Starc had three short spells before he fired, and when he did that three-wicket maiden was worth the wait.
Josh Hazlewood was the only Australian to bowl the full ten overs, with 1-40.
Pat Cummins, who went for far too many against the Kiwis, was much more productive and aggressive with his 1-22 off eight.
What was hard to understand was offie Travis Head being used well before newly promoted leggie Adam Zampa, who was the leading ODI wicket-taker in world cricket last year with 30 scalps at 27.80, with an economy rate of 5.36.
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Zampa replaced John Hastings overnight but didn’t bowl until the 33rd over.
That he took a wicket with his second delivery, and another in his second over, to finish with 2-13 off four suggests he could, or should, have been used earlier.
The other odd decision was using Glenn Maxwell for an over when he was carted for nine.
He hadn’t bowled a single delivery in his last eight ODIs, and that over last night should be his first and last of the tournament. Maxwell needs to just concentrate on his batting and leaving the hero shots in the shed.
That’s what Warner did last night, concentrating on being there at the death, which made him subdued but still dominant.
Before last night, Dean Jones was the fastest Australian to 4000 ODI runs, taking 102 digs over six years and 315 days, ahead of Geoff Marsh’s 104 over five years and 338 days, and Matthew Hayden’s 110 digs and 12 years, 32 days.
Warner is now the fourth fastest in ODI history, taking 93 innings over eight years and 107 days.
The top three are Hashim Amla in 81 innings (five years, 224 days), Viv Richards’ 88 (nine years, 311 days) and Virat Kohli’s 93 in just four years, 154 days.
So the upshot is that, after two washed out games resulting in just two points, Australia must beat England at Edgbaston on Saturday night to qualify for the semis.
They won’t achieve that with Moises Henriques in the side.
How the team’s executive could possibly select Henriques to fill the all-important number four batting spot with a career average of just 8.00 defies description.
There’s far more chance of Chris Lynn or Marcus Stoinis getting among the runs, as while Henriques is a very good first-class batsman, he’s no international player.
And Zampa must be used far earlier with the English always brittle against good leg spin.
Because the last year has told us that Adam Zampa is good – really good.
Michaelj
Guest
Warner was rather quiet in the test series in India recently. He's pretty much a flat track bully.
Brasstax
Guest
"For the second game in succession, rain ruined Australia’s bid for victory in the Champions Trophy..." This statement is wrong. Rain intervened twice in succession when the Aussies played and the first time it actually saved them.
Bobbo7
Guest
David, I hope you are not trying to say Australia had half a chance against NZ. Even Steven Smith said they were lucky - and they were
Jacko
Guest
Why dont they put 2 days per match aside. Surely we would have had enough time to get both games finished over 2 days
Jacko
Guest
I just hope that whoever gets thru deserves it
13th Man
Guest
Yes, your boys were pretty unlucky the other day though. Lets hope NZ and then the Aussies can get up over the Poms and send them packing out of there own tournament.
13th Man
Guest
That's because the Ashes series were held later in the English summer in July/August when the weather is traditionally better. If we held an Ashes series in the UK in early June there would be much more rain affected results.
13th Man
Guest
only in Queensland, I can't remember the last time there was a washout at the WACA? The only washout I can remember from the entire CWC 2015 was Aus V Ban at the Gabba. Already 4 of the 5 games so far have been rain affected in this tournament with 2 being abandoned. Having spent time and played cricket in England I can tell you that the weather is far more stable in August than it is in June, rain is common in the UK around now and it is the worst time of the summer season to be holding an international one day tournament. It's why the Ashes are generally held later in the English Summer.
Tigerbill44
Roar Guru
very, very lucky to get a point Bangladesh. As a Bangladeshi fan, I am very disappointed with the young brigade; Soumya, Sabbir and Mustafiz. Mathematically, we can still qualify for the SF by beating NZ; but realistically I can't see that happening.
David Lord
Expert
Republican and Tamami, you both sell Steve Smith short. Whenever he's at the crease. anything is possible.. Throw in Travis Head, and Mitchell Starc as a bonus, and one day Glenn Maxwell will use his hugely given natural ability to advantage and become an international batsman of substance, and not a hero seeking cowboy. Those four, with the possible addition of Matthew Wade, could perform miracles, as England will find out on Saturday at Edgbaston.
Targa
Guest
I feel sorry (for once) for you Aussies. I expect NZ would've won the game the other day, but the Aussie net run rate would've been pretty good after a narrow loss to NZ and a comprehensive win over Bangladesh. Instead with two washouts Australia doesn't have a net run rate.
James
Guest
I dont see how it changes that much, everything is still in Australias hands, win against England to guarantee progression because would have equally certainly lost against New Zealand as would have won against Bangladesh. Plus isnt cricket season here like literally during storm season?
Giri Subramanian
Roar Guru
If he match happens, Australia have a great chance of beating England. The England bowling is poor in these conditions and they completely rely on their batting to pull them through. Australian bowling attack for sure is better than England provided Smith uses Zampa properly. It is appalling to see how the youngster has been treated in this tournament till now. The kid is extremely talented and needs to get a good run in the team.
BurgyGreen
Guest
I think we've got a good shot against England - remember Bangladesh scored 300+ against them which is an indication of the difference between the pommie and Aussie bowling attacks. I think if we field first and restrict them to 320 the game is in our favour.
James
Guest
Lets not attack the weather too much as it has been very very nice to recent Ashes series.
13th Man
Guest
doesn't really matter who wins tonight. We must beat England to qualify, if we win against the Poms then we are in. A washout would be the worst possible result tonight giving both teams an extra point.
13th Man
Guest
This is why no major cricket tournaments should be played in June in the UK. If your gonna have a cricket tournament like this it has to be in August. In June too many matches are likely to be spoilt by rain. Granted it saved us in game one but to get washed out against Bangladesh is terrible especially considering how easily we were going to win. I would imagine we would be hoping for an England win tonight so its a simple win and in formula against England in our next game. It's actually quite possible that Australia could be kicked out of the tournament without actually playing a game if it rains against England which would be a complete farce.
AREH
Roar Guru
Yep and not a lot that can be done unfortunately..it's not as though England and NZ aren't deserving ODI teams to go through anyway, but should they fail to make it, Australia will no doubt be frustrated. Hardly anything they could have controlled however.
Jacko
Guest
Republican the points table would show Aus on 2 points without the weather interference as a loss v NZ and a win V Bangladesh would have given the same points as they currently have. Meaning beating England would still have been required for them to progress anyway
Tanami Singh
Guest
+1