AUS VS NZ - 2nd Match, Group A, ICC Champions Trophy, 2017

We look forward to tomorrow, where two very differently similar nations take on each other. It'll be an interesting battle indeed, where our perennial lack of faith in Sri Lanka will take on our overindulging belief in South Africa, more so in ICC tournaments. Only one of those teams hasn't disappointed historically. We look forward to that. We look forward to no disappointment. And no rain. For now, this is Kumar Abhisekh Das signing off on behalf of Pradeep and Abhishek Chaudhary. Take care, ta-ta!

Deepu wraps it as well!

--100 by Kane Williamson is the first century for a NZ captain in CT and his personal highest against AUS in all ODIs. He is also the second player to score a hundred on captaincy debut in CT after Alastair Campbell in inaugural CT match in 1998.

--Josh Hazlewood (6/52) is second best figures in CT after 6/14 by Farveez Maharoof vs WI in Mumbai(BS) in 2006. The only other AUS bowler to take a fifer in CT was Glenn McGrath (5/37) vs NZ in Colombo(SSC) in 2002.

--AUS last six ODIs in Edgbaston: NR.aban.L.NR.NR.NR (last)
NZ last five ODIs in Edgbaston: NR.NR.NR.L.NR (last)

Eerily, the last Trans-Tasman Champions Trophy game was abandoned too - in 2013, at this very venue. Maybe we needed logistic planners who were a little more superstitious. Anyway, this day's done, that saw perpetual self-confessed underdogs make a statement that they are here to win, and that popular tags of favourite don't mean a thing when you are on the field. And when you have won the toss. Australia need to have a look at their middle order. Like a serious look, because Warner and Smith, perilously, seem to be the entire batting line-up for them.

18:27 Local Time, 17:27 GMT, 22:57 IST: We have news. Match abandoned at Edgbaston. Rains win, and the teams will share the points. This is a getaway and a half for Australia, synonymous to a Lonavala drive during Bombay monsoons. Pleasant. Very pleasant. Were tottering at 53 for 3, having lost wickets in a bulk, and will still derive a point out of this day, thanks to the rain that just won't relent, totally.

"We might get the news soon" is what I hear from Ganesh, seconds after he pinged me the last update. I love this suspense during seemingly terminal rain delays, waiting for the news that our day was worth nothing

18:24 Local Time, 17:24 GMT, 22:54 IST: The umbrellas are out there. Oopsie, it's the umpires. Could they be there for the final look, wonders Ganesh from the location

AUS last five ODIs in Edgbaston: NR. abandoned .L. NR. NR (last)
NZ last four ODIs in Edgbaston: NR. NR. NR. L (last)

Clever tactics from New Zealand? They knew both the Aussie openers are hit-hit players. With Finch struggling to locate the middle, Warner tried to force things but the same old problem (outswinger) consumed him. Finch, during his stay, swung the willow like a wood chopper slicing fresh air of Birmingham. Then came Milne who generally hits back of a length with sheer pace. He dragged his length a touch to mess Finch's timing. Coming to Henriques - he is just playing his 9th ODI in as many years since his ODI debut; looked fidgety from the moment he came to bat. When he faced his second ball, it was evident that he is a shaky starter and can get into a shell if offered raw pace. Milne, the pace whizz, read him perfectly, and upped his pace gun in the next over. Mixed up lengths a bit, but didn't compromise on his pace. Result? An 89mph delivery proved too good for the Aussie batting all-rounder who headed back gloomy, infecting the atmosphere around him.

18:13 Local Time, 17:13 GMT, 22:43 IST: Ganesh informs that the rain is pretty heavy now..

Australia won't mind the rain to wash this game away! They were given a revised target of 235 off 33 overs and they have started off on a very iffy note. Warner played a couple of delightful shots before falling prey to a preempted move. Finch never got going and clipped it to mid-wicket and Henriques registered his highest ODI score of 18 before inside edging it back to the bowler. Milne has bowled with pace and incision. For this to be a 20 over innings, they will have to start by 18:48 P.M. The target, though we still don't have an official confirmation will be around 160 plus. Smith also has looked hassled and the Aussies would want him to stay there. Ok then, the target would be 174 in case of a 20 overs game. That would be stiff for Australia given a new batsman would come in. The Big Show will have something up his sleeves as well. But first the rain gods will have to relent.

Milne to Henriques, out Caught&Bowled!! Inside edge onto the pads and then a lob back to the bowler for Australia's third wicket to go down. And the heavens open up as well for the players to dive back into the pavilion. That was another darter, the batsman wanted to drive it but managed only a feather on the ball, then off the pads and into the cup of Milne. He grabs it and lets out a huge roar. Australia in huge trouble. Henriques c and b Milne 18(14) [4s-4]

Milne to Henriques, THATS OUT!! Caught&Bowled!!

Milne to Henriques, FOUR, played for the angle into him, ended up playing inside it and got an edge. The ball landed short of the man at slip and burst through his fingers to go away for a four

Milne to Henriques, no run, defends it away onto the on-side as the ball decked back into the batsman. The man at mid-on picked it up

Milne to Henriques, no run, stays his crease, not a lot of feet into the push onto the off-side

Milne to Henriques, FOUR, he was all aware of the short ball coming at him. Both his feet were firmly planted inside the crease when he met the ball with the pull. Timed and placed it to perfection

Milne to Henriques, no run, quick delivery bowled at 150kph and the ball takes the edge to die onto the ground and then go the keeper. That was delivered outside off and the batsman wanted to drive it