Champions Trophy Match 5: Bangladesh vs Australia

Champions Trophy Match 5: Bangladesh vs Australia: Scorecard

Rain can work for you and it can work against you in cricket, as can the fickelties of the Duckworth Lewis Method. Australia's two matches have both ended in draws because of the rain now, and while it can be said that they may have been helped out in their match with New Zealand they most definitely got screwed over in this match against Bangladesh.

Having been savaged first by the New Zealand batsmen and then by Steve Smith after the game, the Australian bowlers did a much better job in their second match, each bowler improving on their initial efforts. Constant wickets stopped any partnerships of note from developing. Starc and Cummins were swift, Hazlewood the metronome while Adam Zampa justified his selection. Only Tamim Iqbal showed any resistance, mixing great stroke play with some good fortune to reach 95 out of the total of 182. Starc's final charge of four wickets in nine deliveries including a near hat-trick created carnage.

Rain came at the break, and when Australia began their innings they were quickly into gear, racing to 1/83 off 16 overs. They were already well ahead on the Duckworth Lewis Method, and in fact didn't need to score a run off the remaining four overs to make it a match to win the game. Unfortunately it was not to be, and though there was little haste from groundsmen or Bangladesh to restart the match it was probably never going to get to a finish, leaving Australia frustrated for many reasons.

It was always likely that Australia was going to have to beat England in the final match to make the semi finals, and that hasn't changed. A win ses them in, a loss sees them out. Bangladesh can still make the semi finals, but given their first two efforts that would be a major surprise.