UPDATED

June 3 2017 - 10:45AM

Save

Champions Trophy: Rain rescues Australia against New Zealand at Edgbaston

Adam Collins

91 reading now

Scorecard: As it happened

Birmingham: A wistful sigh from Kane Williamson said it all. The New Zealand skipper knew that, as Steve Smith put it, Australia had "got away with one" when persistent rain had the better of their Champions Trophy opener, just as the chase threatened to enter an incurable period.

Australia VS New Zealand match washed out

The New Zealand and Australian cricket teams abandoned the Champion Trophy match due to rainfall.

England suffer worst ever start to an ODI

With only days to go before the Champions Trophy opener on Thursday, England lose six wickets in 28 minutes against South Africa.

Broad tips 'cracking' Ashes in Australia

Broad tips 'cracking' Ashes in Australia

Stuart Broad has tipped a 'cracking' Ashes series later this year in an 'aggressive' Australia.

'Why did he do that?' Windies rue wild swing

'Why did he do that?' Windies rue wild ...

'Why did he do that?' Windies rue wild swing

A wild shot by Shannon Gabriel hands Pakistan the third and final Test with six balls to spare.

Plays of the week: Skills versus dramatic finishes

Plays of the week: Skills versus dramatic ...

Plays of the week: Skills versus dramatic finishes

Outrageous shots, unbelievable skill and some crazy climaxes, these are the plays of the week.

Channel Nine urged to drop cricket

With Cricket Australia facing a revenue crisis, analysts have told Nine to walk away from negotiations if the company's price for renewal is too high.

Sachin Tendulkar berates law-breaking bikers

Sachin Tendulkar berates law-breaking ...

Sachin Tendulkar berates law-breaking bikers

The batting legend has posted a video on social media where he's seen giving a lesson on road safety in India.

Australia VS New Zealand match washed out

The New Zealand and Australian cricket teams abandoned the Champion Trophy match due to rainfall.

Volatile weather is front of mind for all in a brisk tournament run and won before the British summer formally begins. Four years ago in this corresponding fixture, the Australians fell victim to the washout after getting on top. This time, it was Smith's draw acting as a win.

"We would have preferred being in New Zealand's position when we came off," Smith acknowledged, the downpour landing as Australia slumped to 3-53 in pursuit of a reduced 235 in 33 overs. "We still had a lot of work to do and they've got a quality bowling attack."

Australia's skipper scolded his highly-regarded frontline bowling quartet, describing it as "one of the worst displays" they had turned in during his leadership tenure. "We gave them a lot of freebies and it was pretty ordinary to be honest with you," he said. Cop that.

But scrutiny also falls on Australia's top order for the mode of their dismissals.

First, David Warner fell uncharacteristically compared to the discipline that has defined his One-Day dominance, dancing and edging Trent Boult moments after cutting an imposing six.

His premeditated end may have been a response to Aaron Finch's ropey start, who gifted catching practice to midwicket from a nondescript Adam Milne delivery an over later.

Moises Henriques, a surprise selection at number four, returned a chance to the same bowler after a frenetic stay, the final ball bowled before the the covers came back once and for all.

Henriques, who hasn't reached 20 in nine One-Day Internationals, was favoured before both Chris Lynn and Marcus Stoinis, who clobbered a 146 not out when the teams met in January.

Smith said it was planned during the week for Henriques to play rather than a last minute decision. "Hopefully we can see him score some runs in the next game," he added.

Earlier, Josh Hazlewood was the catalyst for Australia's fightback, the Kiwis until then controlling the tempo of the interrupted innings, reaching 3-254 by the end of 39 overs.

The subsequent collapse read 7-37 in 36 balls, Hazlewood claiming 5-15 in his second shift to finish with 6-52 – the second best return in Champions Trophy history.

Williamson batted through the productive period of the New Zealand innings. At his elegant best, he accumulated then accelerated both with equal ease. His first ODI century against Australia, brought up in 95 balls, looked inevitable from the moment he arrived.

"He's a very smart cricketer, he understands his game incredibly well," Smith said of his opposing number. "And it looks like he's just getting better as well."

But Williamson didn't add to his ton, through a combination of confused running and clever fielding from Henriques at backward point then Cummins at the stumps, found well short.

That incision brought Hazlewood into the game. He may have found Martin Guptill's edge at an important time early on, but was guilty as any Australian quick for inconsistent direction. At the death, he was back to his best, outclassing the tail with three wickets in four balls.

For excitement, no period matched that of former Australian Luke Ronchi's 65 in 43 balls either side of a 109-minute delay that narrowed the contest to 46 overs apiece.

The Kiwi, who once represented Australia, was thrown to the top of the order in the absence of injured Tom Latham. Doing his best Brendon McCullum impression for innovation and pluck, the hand that included twice popping Pat Cummins over his head, into the crowd.

Smith knows that to capitalise on this let off that they now must win and win well when their campaign moves to The Oval in London to play Bangladesh on Monday. As any slip from here means one thing for sure: the indignity of an early flight home.