CT17: England to chase 278 against Australia
Australia struggled in death overs, losing wickets except for Travis Head who made unbeaten 71
BIRMINGHAM (Web Desk/AFP) – England bowlers kept attacking the Australian batsman and reduced the score to 277 after fiery bowling in the death overs during ICC Champions Trophy 2017 encounter.
Aaron Finch fell for 68 runs of 64 balls to Ben Stokes who picked his only wicket by giving away 61 runs in the 8 overs. Travis Head top-scored with unbeaten 71 to his name of 64 balls, being the only batsman to score at rapid pace during the conclusion of first innings.
Australia were put into bat by England after winning the toss. Durham fast bowler Wood returned one-day international best figures of four for 33 in his maximum 10 overs, while leg-spinner Rashid s return of four for 41 was his best against a Test nation at this level. Steven Smith also scored a half-century and contributed with Finch in the 96-run stand.
World Cup champions Australia have to win this match to join already-qualified England in the semi-finals of a tournament featuring the world s leading eight ODI teams.
Defeat, or Australia s third no result washout in as many Group A games, would see Bangladesh, who beat New Zealand by five wickets in Cardiff on Friday, into the last four instead.
Source: ESPN Cricinfo
