Opener Finch could star for Australia

Opener Finch could star for Australia1-6 shots tackle Tigers at The OvalSoumya Sarkar is a consistent runscorer at the top of the Bangladesh orderCredit: Quinn Rooney

Champions Trophy
Sky Sports 2, 1.30pm
Bad weather has played a frustrating role in the early stages of the Champions Trophy but Australia were singing in the rain at Edgbaston after sharing the points with New Zealand.

The Aussies were struggling at 53-3, chasing 235 in 33 overs, when the game was called off and the ante-post second-favourites to lift the trophy need to sharpen up their act.

They are 1-6 to beat Bangladesh at The Oval in one of the tournament’s two day-night matches but doubts remain over the balance of the team.

A middle-order of Moises Henriques, Glenn Maxwell, Travis Head and Matthew Wade looks a little soft in English conditions and strike bowler Mitchell Starc, man of the tournament at the 2015 World Cup, went wicketless against the Kiwis.

Best bets
Tamim Iqbal’s century was the highlight for Bangladesh against England but his opening partner Soumya Sarkar looks to be underrated by Paddy Power’s runs line of 20.5.

Sarkar eclipsed that mark in five of his six innings at the 2015 World Cup and since that tournament in Australia he has scored a century and five fifties in 20 ODIs. Two of those fifties came in the recent tri-series against Ireland and New Zealand and he hit four handsome fours and a six in his 28 against England at The Oval.

Australia opener Aaron Finch enjoys the venue, scoring 137 in last month’s warm-up win over Sri Lanka and reaching 50 in two of his three outings there for Surrey in last summer’s T20 Blast.

Finch was tied up by some tight new-ball bowling before falling for eight against the Kiwis at Edgbaston, but the 4-1 about him top-scoring for Australia looks worth a small bet.

He made 53, 15 and 70 not out in the 2015 one-day series in England, and smashed an amazing 156 in a 2013 Twenty20 international at the Rose Bowl.

Recommendations
S Sarkar to score 21 or more runs
3pts 4-5 Paddy Power

A Finch top Australia runscorer
1pt 4-1 bet365, BetBright

Venue
England lost only two wickets as they chased down 306 to beat Bangladesh in the first game at The Oval but South Africa and Sri Lanka’s batsmen found it harder going on Saturday.

The Proteas looked set for a huge total but had to settle for 299-6 before the Lankans – 87-1 after ten overs – limply collapsed to 203 all out.

Team news
Big-hitting Chris Lynn and young leg spinner Adam Zampa are options for Australia if they want to tinker with the 11 who faced New Zealand at Edgbaston.

Bangladesh used seven bowlers against England and could bolster their spin attack by recalling Mehedi Hasan.

Weather
Cloudy afternoon with light rain forecast for the evening, 17C.

James MiltonRacing Post Sport

Published on 4 June 2017inCricket tips

Last updated 19:20, 4 June 2017

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