CT 2017: Match 2: DLS par scores for Australian innings

The Champions Trophy game between Australia and New Zealand got along with the rain as the start of 2nd innings got delayed due to rain after the game got reduced to 46 overs-a-side post the rain during the New Zealand’s innings.

The Birmingham seems to be an unlucky venue for the Australians as they haven’t won any game across all formats in 10 games at the venue and 3 of those 10 ended without a result and one ended in a draw. In fact, another game of Aussies at this venue was abandoned as the rain didn’t even allow the toss to happen.

New Zealand, who started off well in the game couldn’t finish with the same fire as they were bowled out for 291 in 45 overs, one short of the restricted overs. Josh Hazlewood picked up only the 2nd 6-wicket haul in the Champions Trophy history to reduce NZ to a moderate total on a batting track despite a century from Kane Williamson.

Hazlewood picked up 3 wickets in 4 balls to wrap up the NZ innings. Williamson struck 100 in 97 balls while Ronchi gave a blistering start by scoring 67 off just 43 balls. Williamson’s run-out tilted the game towards the Australians as the Kiwis managed to score only 37 in the last 7 available overs losing 7 wickets.

Despite the loss of 4 overs during the New Zealand’s innings, the Australian target in 46 overs was same as the original (292) even after the Duckworth-Lewis Stern method. However, due to the loss in time because of the rain during the innings break, the Australian innings was reduced to 33 overs, they now require 235 runs to win the game.

With more rain expected to come down during the Australian innings, the game might come down to the equation of the par scores and Australia would be looking to keep it in check to bag the two points at any cost. (Minimum 20 overs is needed for a result.)

Here we look at the par scores at different intervals of Australian innings: