AUS 53/3 in 9 overs | LIVE Cricket Score Australia vs New Zealand ICC Champions Trophy 2017; Match abandoned; teams share a point each

Australia vs New Zealand, LIVE Score, ICC Champions Trophy 2017: Trans-Tasman rivalry on the cards.

Hello, good morning/afternoon and welcome to CricketCountry’s live cricket blog and updates’ post for the second match in the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2017, between Australia and New Zealand at Edgbaston, Birmingham. This is Chinmay Jawalekar, and I will be bringing you the live cricket scores and updates of the Group A contest. While Australia are being considered favourites for this clash, the past history against their Trans-Tasman rivals is also in their support. In the five matches against New Zealand in the history of Champions Trophy, Australia have won four matches with one game abandoned. Regardless to say, both Australia and New Zealand would be keen to make a winning start. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Australia vs New Zealand, ICC Champions Trophy 2017, Match 2

New Zealand have been bolstered with the return of their key players, especially the few of those who were injured but have made successful recoveries. Among them is Mitchell McClenaghan, who not only proved his fitness in the recently-concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) for Mumbai Indians, but also showed he has it in him to be at the forefront of the bowling attack. While Kane Williamson remains the backbone of New Zealand’s batting line-up, there are the likes of Martin Guptill, Tom Latham and Ross Taylor in the ranks to back him up.

On the other hand, Australia will be eyeing revenge against New Zealand for what transpired earlier this year. A second-string Australian side without the services of Steven Smith, David Warner, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood was defeated in the three-match ODI series. With the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy on offer, both Australia and New Zealand will be keen to grab the award and move further into the Champions Trophy with momentum on their side.

For Australia, there will be a lot of dilemma over the final XI. Carrying only one specialist spinner in Adam Zampa, Australia have plenty of pace bowling options in Starc, Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and James Pattinson. In the batting, the likes of Chris Lynn, Aaron Finch and Glenn Maxwell create a lot of selection issues, especially in the batting department. Also, there is Moises Henriques, who can serve as a medium pacer and fits in well in the middle order.

Squads:

Australia: Steven Smith (c), David Warner, Pat Cummins, Aaron Finch, John Hastings, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Chris Lynn, Glenn Maxwell, James Pattinson, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade (wk), Adam Zampa.

New Zealand: Kane Williamson (c), Luke Ronchi (wk), Ross Taylor, Martin Guptill, Tom Latham, Corey Anderson, Neil Broom, Jimmy Neesham, Colin de Grandhomme, Adam Milne, Trent Boult, Mitchell McClenaghan, Jeetan Patel, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee.

FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Australia vs New Zealand, ICC Champions Trophy 2017, Match 2