Steven Smith admits Australia have no margin for error as they look to kick start their Champions Trophy campaign against Bangladesh today
Steven Smith
Steven Smith admits Australia have no margin for error as they look to kick start their Champions Trophy campaign against Bangladesh today.
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Australia's bid to open the Champions Trophy group stage with a win was thwarted by heavy rain against New Zealand on Friday. The teams took a point apiece, a result that most benefits Group 'A' rivals England. England launched the tournament, which features the world's top eight one-day teams, with an eight-wicket win over Bangladesh at The Oval on Thursday.
Smith acknowledged his team now have to win their remaining group matches if they are to advance to the semi-finals.
"It's obviously not ideal for both sides to have a washout. So for us now it's just about making sure that we're playing each game like a final and winning the next two," Smith said. "It's a pretty quick tournament. So you can't really afford a washout or a loss. You've got to turn it around quickly now and control what you can control." While Aus tralia will be expected to take maximum points against Bangladesh at The Oval, history suggests Smith's side shouldn't underestimate their unheralded opponents. Australia were the victims of one of the all-time great upsets when Bangladesh beat them by five wickets in a one-day international in Cardiff in 2005.
Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza called on his bowlers to tighten up against Australia. "I think in the middle patches of the match, we couldn't get any wickets, that's also a (key) point," said Mortaza.
Live on tv Today
Australia v Bangladesh: Star Sports 1, HD 1, Hindi, HD 1, 16:30 onwards
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