Australia’s Champions Trophy Curse: Rain Disrupts Key Blockbuster Match

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Australia and South Africa have never faced off in the Champions Trophy, and Pakistan’s weather gods have ensured that statistical anomaly remains intact for another four years.

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The blockbuster Group B match in Rawalpindi was abandoned due to perpetual rain on Tuesday, with the two nations splitting the points after four hours of crosswords and card games in the sheds. A toss never eventuated, with the covers unmoved from the pitch throughout the day.

“I did look on the weather (app) a couple of days ago and saw a few days of rain, but I didn’t expect it to be washed out,” Australian captain Steve Smith said during the post-match presentation.

“Not ideal, but can’t do much about it.”

Proteas captain Temba Bavuma continued: “It is frustrating. We would have loved to get in a game of cricket. You would have had two teams coming into the game high on confidence.

“You don’t really have to say much from a motivation point of view. You mention Australia, that gets the guys chomping (at the bit).”

Smith also hinted that Australia would have named a different starting XI to their tournament opener against England if the match against South Africa had gone ahead.

Australia has an unfortunate track record with rain in the Champions Trophy. During the previous edition of the tournament in 2017, two of the team’s group-stage games were called off due to weather, along with one match from 2013. On both occasions, two-time champions Australia failed to qualify for the knockouts.

Aiden Markram of South Africa. Photo by Chris Hyde-ICC/ICC via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

Spectators can be seen sitting inside the stadium with their umbrella open. Photo by Sameer Ali/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

Tuesday’s washout means the loser of Wednesday’s Group B match between England and Afghanistan in Lahore will be eliminated from the tournament. Meanwhile, Australia will need to win Friday’s contest against Afghanistan to guarantee a semi-finals berth, otherwise they’ll be relying on other results.

The Proteas boast a superior net run rate courtesy of last week’s thumping victory over Afghanistan, further complicating Australia’s path to the knockouts.

“The equation’s pretty simple now,” Smith continued.

“Onto the next one against Afghanistan. If we win, we’re locked in the top four.

“They’re a dangerous side on their day, like every team in this tournament. I think that’s the beauty of this tournament. With the eight best teams coming up against it, anyone can have a good day.

“We’re going to have to be on next game.”

Afghanistan has never defeated Australia in ODIs – although Glenn Maxwell’s unforgettable double-hundred during the 2023 World Cup denied the Asian underdogs a historic triumph.

Australia and Afghanistan will lock horns at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Friday, with the first ball scheduled for 8pm AEDT.

Champions Trophy Group B Standings

1. South Africa — 3 points, NRR 2.140

2. Australia — 3 points, NRR 0.475

3. England — 0 points, NRR -0.475

4. Afghanistan — 0 points, NRR -2.140

Champions Trophy Group B Matches

Wednesday, February 26th – Afghanistan vs England, Lahore

Friday, February 28th – Afghanistan vs Australia, Lahore

Saturday, March 1st – South Africa vs England, Karachi