New Delhi: One of the favourites to lift the 2017 Champions Trophy, Cricket Australia left the sporting world stunned after being eliminated in the Group Stage by hosts England on Saturday. The Eoin Morgan-led England, who maintained their 100% run in the tournament secured a 40-run victory (D/L) in another rain-hit encounter. (CT 2017 - Full Coverage)
Ben Stokes (102 not out) and Eoin Morgan (87) were clinical in their efforts with the bat, as they demoralised the fearsome Aussie bowling attack.
Put in to bat by England, who had already reached the semi-finals, Australia posted 277/9, thanks to Travis Head (91 not out), Aaron Finch (68) and skipper Steve Smith (56). During the chase, Stokes and Morgan shared 159-run fourth-wicket stand to help England recover from 35/3.
England`s chase was interrupted twice by rain and when the skies halted play for the second time, England were 240/4 in 40.2 overs, with Stokes unbeaten having hit his third century in One-Day International cricket. With no play possible thereafter, England were declared victors as D/L method came into effect. Stokes flogged 13 fours and two sixes.
Seeing Steve Smith's team taking a premature exit from the mega event, Twitter reactions flowed in!
Congratulations to a new vibrant England side on making it yo the semi-finals. You surely have earned few new fans in Bangladesh .#ENGvAUS
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) June 10, 2017
Need a lift to the airport mate @stevesmith49? #ENGvAUS pic.twitter.com/KJ6GwwMn3t
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) June 10, 2017
England are doing the Aussies a favour here .... they might be able to catch the early flight .... #CT17 #ENGvAUS
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) June 10, 2017
Looks like England need to send Stokes and Morgan to play football for them...........
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 10, 2017
Todays game England v Australia felt like an exact replica of ydays Bangladesh victory over NZ. World class run chases after early wickets.
— Brendon McCullum (@Bazmccullum) June 10, 2017
This ENGLAND ODI team is just #Fearless#Positive#Aggressive#SuperTalented
— KP (@KP24) June 10, 2017
With this win, England entered the semi-finals as the top-ranked team from the group with six points. Bangladesh have three points from three matches, while Australia could only pocket two points -- a point each from two washed out games and New Zealand have one point.
