ICC Champions Trophy Highlights: Australia vs New Zealand, as it happened

Australia and New Zealand face off in Birmingham in a must-win game for the Aussies. The Kiwis need a win to boost their chances of making it to the last four in the tournament. Scorecard

 

23.02 (IST): Match between Australia and New Zealand has been abandoned due to rain. Both sides get one point each. The umpires had a look at things and called it off after consulting the match referee and the two captains.

 

21.58 (IST): It has stopped raining but now the ground staff needs to drain out the excess water.

 

21.24 (IST): Rain persists and possible reduction of overs is on the cards if and when play resumes.

 

20.11 (IST): Covers coming on as players leave the field due to rain. New Zealand are 51/2 in 15 overs having been set a target of 244.

 

19.40 (IST): Luke Ronchi (14) caught by Shane Watson off Clint McKay for 14. New Zealand are 26/2 in 7.1 overs having been set a target of 244. The Aussies now have both Kiwi openers back in the pavilion and look to stifle the flow of runs.

 

19.25 (IST): Martin Guptill caught at cover off Clint McKay for 8. New Zealand are 18/1 in 4 overs having been set a target of 244. It is a much needed breakthrough for the Australians and Guptill shakes his head in disgust at the shot that he played. The Aussies now look to apply some early pressure on the Kiwis inside the fielding restrictions.

18.22 (IST): Australia finish off with 243/8 with Adam Voges top scoring with 71 off 76 balls while Mitchell McClenaghan takes 4 for 65 in 10 overs.

 

18.16 (IST): Glenn Maxwell's bold hitting off Kane Williamson takes Australia to 238/8 in 49 overs.

 

18.02 (IST): James Faulkner (6) is caught at mid off by McClenaghan of Williamson and Australia are 210/7 in 46.3 overs.

 

17.48 (IST): Adam Voges (71) is caught at cover off Mitchell McClenaghan and Australia are 196/6 in 43.1 overs.

 

17.44 (IST): Mitchell Marsh (22) is caught behind off Mitchell McClenaghan and Australia are 193/5 in 42 overs.

 

17.38 (IST): Voges continues the good work and is unbeaten on 64 with Mitchell Marsh for company with Australia at 182/4 in 41 overs.

 

17.20 (IST): Voges reaches his fifty but Bailey is bowled by Nathan McCullum in the same over. Australia 151/4 in 35 overs.

 

17.06 (IST): Australia 142/3 in 31 overs. (George Bailey 52, Adam Voges 45)

Bailey and Voges have added 68 runs for the 4th wicket so far. Australia's start was a bad one when they lost 2 wickets for just 10 runs.  Matthew Wade played a good hand of 29 before he fell with the score on 74. The pair now look to take the innings through to the end.

George Bailey reaches his fifty from 71 balls which includes five boundaries.

Australia find themselves at 99/3 at the half-way mark.

The Trans-Tasman rivals have had absolutely the opposite fortunes in the lead up to this all important match at Edgbaston, Birmingham. While the Kiwis have enjoyed a series win over England prior to the Champions Trophy and then went on to grab a nail-biter against Sri Lanka in their first match, Australia have had to face an embarrassing defeat against 'Ashes rivals' in their opening encounter.

Phillip Hughes has to make a long way back. Matthew Wade played it to cover called for a run. There was a bit of hesitation between the two but martin Guptill was spot on at cover and hits it directly at striker's end. Hughes out without scoring. Australia 10 for 2 after 3.1 overs.

Australia have lost their first wicket and it's Shane Watson. He looks to play towards the third man but ends up edging it to wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi off Mitchell McClenaghan. He is out after scoring just 5. Australia 5/1 (1.3 overs)

Australia have won the toss and has decided to bat against New Zealand. They have dropped David Warner over bad behaviour, while Mitchell Starc makes way for Xavier Doherty. Glenn Maxwell replaces Warner. The New Zealand side field an unchanged side. Read toss report