Champions Trophy 2017: Australia prepared for must-win tie against England, says Steve Smith

Steve Smith’s team had to endure frustration after rain spoiled Monday’s showdown with Bangladesh.

Published: June 6, 2017 10:04 AM IST

By Sudipta Biswas

Champions Trophy 2017: Australia prepared for must-win tie against England, says Steve Smith
फाइल फोटो - Getty

With two back to back matches were washed away due to rain, Australia skipper Steve Smith said they are ready for their do or die Champions Trophy match with hosts England.

Smith’s team had to endure frustration after rain spoiled Monday’s showdown with Bangladesh. This has happened after rain washed out their first match against New Zealand.

On both occasions it was Australia who were batting in the second innings but rain stopped the match. Also read: ICC Champions Trophy: Wahab Riaz ruled out with ankle injury

In the last game against Bangladesh, Australia were 83 for 1 while chasing a paltry 183 in 50 overs and required only four overs to be bowled to ensure they would take maximum points via the Duckworth-Lewis rule used in rain-affected matches.

With two points from their two matches, Australia will have to beat the hosts England at Edgbaston on June 10 to reach the semi-finals.

“I think it makes the equation pretty simple for us,” Smith said. Also read: ‘Superstar syndrome’ could hurt Indian cricket, BCCI needs to step in

“We have to beat England and then I think we’re through.

“I haven’t really read into anything else that’s happened. I guess we’ve just got to beat England.”

“I think once they get out in the middle, things will just click into place, and yeah, hopefully we can play well in Birmingham.”

The bright side for Smith is his bowlers were more effective against Bangladesh after struggling to find their rhythm against New Zealand.

In the New Zealand game, they were 53 for 3 when the rain forced match officials to call off the game. However, Smith admitted that the rain rescued them from a possible defeat against New Zealand, who had scored 291 in that match.

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