Rain Halts Australia’s Run Chase

Australia’s bid to secure their first victory in Champions Trophy Group A was halted by rain as they chased 183 to beat Bangladesh at The Oval on Monday.

Steve Smith’s side were 83-1 after 16 overs when persistent drizzle forced the players from the field.

Australia, who bowled out Bangladesh for 182, need to return for four more overs to be eligible to win via the Duckworth-Lewis rule for rain interrupted matches.

Having seen their first group fixture against New Zealand abandoned due to rain, two-time champions Australia can ill-afford another washout as they try to qualify for the semi-finals from a group that also includes hosts England.

Tamim Iqbal offered Bangladesh’s lone resistance with a valiant 95 as Australia restricted his side to 182 all out.

After hitting 128 against England in Bangladesh’s opening match on Thursday, Tamim was the main man once again, but this time he lacked support and was unable to stop Australia taking control at The Oval.

While Tamim was rock solid, hitting his 95 off 114 balls with six fours and three sixes, Shakib Al Hasan was the next highest scorer on 29. Pace bowler Mitchell Starc was Australia’s most effective force with four wickets from his 8.3 overs.

Australia, whose final group match is against England in Birmingham on June 10, were the victims of one of the all-time great upsets when Bangladesh beat them by five wickets in a one-day international in Cardiff in 2005.