Birmingham: England all-rounder Ben Stokes (102 n o, 109b, 13×4, 2×6) and skipper Eoin Morgan (87, 81b, 8×4, 5×6) played match-winning knocks as the hosts notched up a 40-run win via D/L method in their last group match against Australia here, Saturday. Australia’s loss means Bangladesh qualified for the semifinals.
Chasing a 278-run target, England suffered an early top-order collapse as the hosts came down to 35 for three in the sixth over. After that rain paused the game for sometimes.
However, the interval was proved fortunate for the hosts as Morgan and Stokes changed the momentum of the game with a 159-run fourth wicket partnership. But a misunderstanding in the middle and a direct hit from Adam Zampa, removed Morgan.
The game, by the time, was all in England’s pocket. Stokes than continued the chase with Jos Buttler (29 n o, 32b, 3×4, 1×6) before rain again interrupted play at 240/4 in 40.2 overs. England were 40 runs ahead of the required D/L score and were eventually declared winner.
Earlier, Travis Head (71, 64b, 5×4, 2×6) propelled Australia to a respectable 277 for nine after England’s Mark Wood (4/33) and Adil Rashid (4/41) caused a batting collapse in a crucial Group A Champions Trophy match here Saturday.
Put into bat, Aaron Finch (68, 64b, 8×4) and Steve Smith (56, 77b, 5×4) blasted twin half centuries after England opted to field. In their must-win encounter, Australia lost opener David Warner (21) in the eighth over. Finch and Smith then dug their heels and ensured Australia don’t suffer any more hiccups.
The duo added 96 runs before Stokes removed Finch in the 23rd over. Moises Henriques and Smith too dismissed within next 10 overs. Head and Glenn Maxwell (20) then shared 58 runs off 62 balls for the fifth wicket before the Oz suffering a collapse in the death overs.
Brief scores: Australia 277/9 (Travis Head 71 n o, Aaron Finch 68; Mark Wood 4/33, Adil Rashid 4/41) lost to England 240/4 in
40.2 overs (Ben Stokes 102 n o, Eoin Morgan 87) by 40 runs via
D/L method.
Agencies
