Australia prepared for Wednesday's game with New Zealand knowing that they needed to win if they were to reignite hopes of enjoying success in the Champions Trophy.
Stand-in captain George Bailey's side batted first at Edgbaston and were able to post a challenging total of 243-8, thanks mainly to the skipper's 55 and a fluent 71 from Adam Voges.
New Zealand lost two early wickets in reply but Kane Williamson (18*) and Ross Taylor (9*) steadied the ship before rain halted play with the Kiwis on 51-2.
The umpires inspected the field of play following an extended delay but decided to abandon the match, meaning both sides gained a point.
Read below to find out how events unfolded in the Group A contest.
Good morning. It seems like Australia are already in turmoil just one game into a hectic summer schedule. One thing is certain, they must beat New Zealand today at Edgbaston.
Extraordinary story breaking this morning. David Warner misses out today after allegedly being involved in a physical altercation with Joe Root in a bar on Sunday following the loss to England. It's exactly what Australia don't need at the moment as Michael Clarke continues to sit out with a back injury.
BREAKING NEWS: Australia win the toss and choose to bat.
Before the teams are confirmed there's some more breaking news regarding the controversy surrounding Warner. The England and Wales Cricket Board have broken their silence to comment on the story. Statement to follow in the next post.
ECB statement: "Following a statement issued this morning by Cricket Australia, the England and Wales Cricket Board confirms that David Warner initiated an unprovoked physical attack on a member of the England team in a Birmingham bar following England's 48-run victory over Australia."
Statement continued: "Warner has admitted behaving inappropriately and has since apologised to the player involved who has accepted the apology."
That statement seems to shed a bit of light on the situation. The ECB have confirmed that they will not be conducting any further investigation into the matter. Right, back to this game.
AUSTRALIA: Watson, Wade, Hughes, Bailey (c), Voges, Marsh, Maxwell, Faulkner, Johnson, McKay, Doherty
NEW ZEALAND: Guptill, Ronchi, Williamson, Taylor, Franklin, B. McCullum, Vettori, N. McCullum, Southee, Mills, McClenaghan
New Zealand enjoy the luxury of naming the same side following the win over Sri Lanka. Glenn Maxwell and Xavier Doherty come in for Australia to replace Mitchell Starc and Warner. Matthew Wade will open the batting for Australia today.
Australia must put the today's story to the back of their minds. The defending champions are at risk of missing out on qualifying for the semi-finals. Australia's batsmen played plenty of poor shots in the loss to England and stand-in skipper George Bailey will expect to see a much improved performance today.
New Zealand will be a tough test for Australia though. The Kiwis look at home in this format of the game and they're also being guided through the tournament by one of the most impressive captains in world cricket, Brendon McCullum.
Vettori looked to be struggling with an injury during the Sri Lanka game but New Zealand have managed to patch him up for today. How important could he be? Plenty of people are expecting this pitch to spin.
Both national anthems have been played, so it's time for some cricket. Shane Watson opens the batting with Wade. Kyle Mills is set to bowl the first over.
Watson gets bat on ball early in the first over but he's frustrated by some good fielding. A late cut brings the first run of the match to third-man. Mills is tight to Wade and the left-handed opener can't find a single to get of thee mark.
Mitchell McClenaghan is too full and Watson is able to drive the ball straight back past the bowler for four runs.
WICKET! WATSON (5) C RONCHI B McCLENAGHAN
Great start for McClenaghan and New Zealand. Just a ball after being hit for four, the bowler gets one to leave Watson and take the edge on its way to Ronchi behind the stumps. Australia's key man has gone! Phil Hughes in next.
Hughes looks scratchy as he struggles to time his first two defensive shots. McClenaghan ends the over with a wayward delivery down the leg-side and Australia are gifted four leg-byes.
Mills bowls one with a scrambled delivery and Wade is beaten by the hint of movement on show. No edge though but it looks tough out there as the ball flies past the outside of the bat again. Four dot balls are followed by a single to third man. Just two runs from the first two overs from Mills.
WICKET! HUGHES (0) RUN OUT (GUPTILL)
Australia's morning is getting worse by the minute. Wade looks for a single when the ball squirms into the off-side. There's a moment of hesitation between the batsmen and that allows Guptill to rush in and hit the stumps with a superb underarm throw. The replay shows Hughes is short of his ground and he departs without scoring.
Bailey comes to the crease with his side in big trouble. McClenaghan greets the Australian skipper with a bit of seam movement to beat the outside edge. The bowler oversteps the mark to concede a no-ball and give Australia a free-hit. McClenaghan does well to deliver a good slower-ball to concede no extra runs. Wade will keep the strike thanks to a single from the final delivery. A leg-bye, a no-ball and one run from the over.
Brilliant from Wade, who sits back in his crease to punch Mills through the covers for four. The same batsman miscues a pull shot after misreading the length of a delivery. Wade picks the length better later in the over to pull through square-leg for four more. Good over for Australia.
Gorgeous to delivery from McClenaghan to beat Bailey's outside edge with the first ball of a new over. Australia find two singles in the middle of the over before Wade is forced into diving at the non-striker's to allows Bailey to find two to square-leg. Four from the over.
Huge appeal for caught behind when Mills produces a beauty. New Zealand are convinced but the umpire refuses to raise his finger. Brendon McCullum considers reviewing but Vettori suggests the ball may have hit the thigh pad. Hotspot proves the spinner right and it's a very good decision from the umpire. Mills beats the outside edge three times in the over and Wade looks very vulnerable around off-stump. It's a maiden.
First look at spin today as Vettori comes into the attack. There is some turn for the bowler but the delivery is too short and Bailey cuts the ball away for a single. Wade uses his feet well to come down the wicket and clip the ball through the leg-side for another run. Good start for Vettori.
Wade misjudges the length again when he misses another attempted pull shot. The batsman's attacking intentions are clear as he swings wildly at a wider delivery but he's still unable to find the contact he's looking for. Just a single for Wade in the over.
Vettori's tight line is very impressive early in the over. Australia are hesitant again when Bailey calls wade through for a single to third-man. Wade sweeps two more to deep square-leg before Bailey adds another to deep cover. That's the end of the first powerplay.
Australia's running looks very poor again as they hesitate before sneaking a single. It gets worse when Bailey considers abandoning an easy second run through point. Wade pulls a short ball to the fielder at deep mid-wicket for one. Mills strays onto the pads later in the over and Bailey displays perfect timing to earn four through mid-wicket.
Wade flicks the ball through square-leg for one early in Vettori's over. The spinner builds pressure with three dot balls but his good work is ruined when Bailey rocks back to cut past point to reach the boundary.
Southee comes into the attack but he doesn't enjoy success early on as Bailey drives a fuller delivery straight down the ground for four runs. Williamson fails to block a cut at backward point and the Australian skipper picks up two more. Southee is desperate to find some swing but a second full delivery is drilled straight to the boundary rope. A flick into the leg-side brings a single and Bailey will keep the strike.
Bailey has looked in good form since arriving at the crease and he moves to 30 with a sweep for two followed by a single through cover. Wade drops to one knee to attempt to sweep the ball to the fine-leg boundary but he proceeds to pick out the fielder inside the circle.
Nathan McCullum comes into the attack for his first spell. Bailey immediately sweeps the ball into the air and it lands safely in front of the fielder in the deep to bring a single. Wade advances down the pitch but doesn't make great contact with an ugly heave and only adds one to the total. Bailey nudges another to long-on but Wade will keep the strike thanks to a single through square-leg.
Wade clips a single off the hip early in Vettori's over. The spinner varies his length well to Bailey, who sticks to defending for the remaining five deliveries. Time for drinks.
Good stuff from McCullum as he begins a new over with a couple of sharply turning balls. Wade looks to assert his dominance with a big shot and despite not making great contact, he scores four through mid-wicket. The left-handed batsman steals a single on the off-side to make it five from the over.
Wade takes an early single to give the strike to Bailey, who is beaten on the outside edge by one that turns and bounces for Vettori. This pair continue to struggle with their calling but they avoid a couple of mix-ups to survive.
N. McCullum loses his accuracy at the start of the over when he delivers a wide before being tucked away for one on the leg-side. Guptill does superbly to stop Bailey's plan for a single through mid-wicket. Wade once again looks to be struggling to make the ground when Guptill misses his throw at the stumps. Australia cannot afford another run out.
WICKET! WADE (29) LBW B McCULLUM
Big breakthrough for New Zealand. Australia were beginning to rebuild the innings but Wade is given out lbw when he's struck on the front pad while playing across the line. Wade reviews the decision but Hawkeye shows it was a relatively easy choice for the umpire.
The batsmen trade singles at the start of a new over from McCullum. Voges lives dangerously when he chips one just short of the bowler. Two more singles are taken later in the over. Steady work from the spinner.
Adam Voges is the new batsman and he's given the strike when Bailey takes a single early in Vettori's new over. Both players hesitate when Voges guides one to point but he manages to make his ground and the throw also misses the stumps.
Three singles are collected from the first three balls of Vettori's over. Voges is beaten by some big turn from Vettori and he's lucky not to edge one to Ronchi. Australia need a big partnership now.
Bailey plays across the line and is lucky that the leading edge drops safely on the off-side. Not much freedom for the batsmen but plenty of singles available. Four more from the over.
Southee is back for a new spell. Voges immediately gets off strike with a cut to deep cover for one. Bailey wants two from a similar shot but he's forced to settle for a single. Voges adds another through cover before Bailey drills a single through B. McCullum at short mid-wicket. One more and it's five from the over.
A mistake in the field on the leg-side allows Australia to sneak two runs. Singles are on offer everywhere and the batsmen collect five from the final five balls. New Zealand have allowed this pair to settle following Wade's dismissal.
Southee launches a big appeal for lbw when Voges walks across his stumps but the umpire shakes his head as Australia sneak a leg-bye. The bowler strikes the same pad again but it looks like the ball would have missed leg-stump and another leg-bye is taken. N. McCullum does superbly at mid-on to stop a drive from Voges and his efforts are applauded by Bailey at the non-striker's end. Just two from the over.
McClenaghan is back into the attack and immediately beats Bailey's outside edge with one that just holds its line. A single through mid-wicket is followed by one just wide of mid-on. Bailey displays his class with a textbook straight drive for four runs late in the over.
Southee is intent on finding movement but a lack of swing means Voges can easily guide the ball straight past the bowler for four. A wider delivery is struck through extra cover for another boundary. Voges nudges the next ball to long-on for one. Disappointing over from Southee.
Good time for B. McCullum to bring Vettori back as New Zealand look to break this blossoming partnership. Superb control shown by the spinner in the over and he has Bailey fishing for the ball outside off-stump. Vettori does find the edge but there's no slip and Bailey survives. Maiden over.
Williamson is thrown the ball to begin his first over of the day. Australia find it relatively easy against the spinner as Voges cuts a single through point before Bailey heaves another over the leg-side. Bailey reaches FIFTY with two from the final ball of the over. It's important for the stand-in skipper to go on and make a big score now. Five from Williamson's first over.
McClenaghan switches ends to replace Southee but gifts two boundaries to Australia with leg-side deliveries. The second is a no-ball too and Voges has a free-hit. McClenaghan pushes the ball too far across the batsman and is punished for a wide. The free-hit is then pulled away for a single by Voges. Australia do well to pick the gaps following the early boundaries and take 15 in total from the over. Sloppy work from McClenaghan.
Voges nudges Williamson away for one at the start of a new over. Bailey flicks another one behind square on the leg-side. Williamson turns the ball back into the batsman but Voges reads the spin well to clip four to fine-leg. Six off the over.
Williamson finds some turn outside off-stump but both players use the spin to find singles on the leg-side. A rare mistake from Gutpill at mid-wicket allows Australia to sneak two more.
Bailey and Voges continue to help themselves to the singles on offer on the leg-side. Vettori finds some good bounce and he refuses to offer any loose deliveries in his final over. Just 23 runs scored in his 10 overs.
Nathan McCullum is back into the attack for a new spell. A cut for a single from Voges is followed by a nudge to long-on by Bailey. Voges FIFTY from just 53 balls with another single and that's an impressive knock from him.
WICKET! BAILEY (55) B N. McCULLUM
Brendon McCullum's change does the trick as his brother takes a wicket on his return to the attack. Bailey shuffles across his crease but misses the ball when it turns sharply and bowls the batsman. Big wicket at a crucial time for New Zealand.
The players take a drinks break following that wicket. Mitchell Marsh is the new batsman and he arrives just as the batting powerplay has to be taken by Australia.
Voges takes a big risk when he skips down the pitch to lob the ball towards N. McCullum at long-on. The batsman is fortunate not to make great contact and the ball drops just short of the fielder rushing in from the rope. Great over from Williamson, who keeps Marsh from getting off strike.
Voges nudges the ball into the leg-side for a quick single but takes advantage of a poor throw from Guptill to add another. N. McCullum is then nudged to long-on for one before Marsh swings wildly to take a big risk outside off-stump. Just three from the over.
Williamson is clipped into the leg-side by Voges before Marsh gets off the mark with one to deep square-leg. Voges continues to run confidently as he collects a couple on the leg-side. Williamson wastes no time in completing another economic over.
Singles are traded early in the over before N. McCullum delivers a rare half-tracker to allow Marsh to reach the boundary with a powerful pull shot. Marsh then opens the face of the bat to earn a single to third-man.
Williamson is cursing his luck when Marsh sends an edge to the rope at third-man for four runs. Marsh then shows why he is rated so highly in Australia by driving superbly through the covers for four. Williamson finds some big turn but a thick edge brings another run. Voges miscues a cut shot and still manages to earn a single behind square on the leg-side. 10 overs left in the innings.
McClenaghan is back into the attack and is immediately taken for a single by Marsh. Voges splits the fielders down the ground with a good drive and collects four more. A single is followed by a wide-ball. Marsh tucks the ball into the leg-side for two more before opening the face to guide another two to third-man.
Voges picks the gap on the leg-side to get off strike early in a new over. Marsh does well to prod the ball to point for another. A reverse sweep evades Williamson behind square and Voges picks up four runs. Six from N. McCullum's final over.
WICKET! MARSH (22) C RONCHI B McCLENAGHAN
Marsh was beginning to look at home in the middle but McClenaghan removes the dangerous batsman with a slightly shorter ball. The big-hitter took it on but he was cramped for room and could only spoon the ball into the air. Ronchi takes the catch, Maxwell in next.
Williamson returns to the attack and delivers a couple of dot balls before being nudged to square-leg for one by Voges. Maxwell steps away to cut the ball to point for one. Voges uses the spin well to clip the ball off his pad for another single to keep the strike.
WICKET! VOGES (71) C B. McCULLUM B McCLENAGHAN
Good running from this pair as Faulkner hurries a single at the start of Williamson's over. Maxwell is struck on the pad but the ball would have drifted past leg-stump. The same batsman drives through cover for one. A light touch from the bat brings another single behind square on the leg-side. Maxwell advances down the pitch but he can only send an inside edge to fine-leg for one.
New Zealand on top now as Voges is sent back inside. The batsman attempts to whip the ball through the leg-side but a leading edge flies into McCullum's hands at cover. McClenaghan continues to take big wickets for the Kiwis.
James Faulkner is the new batsman. A flick off the hip allows Faulkner to get off the mark from his second ball. McClenaghan strays down the leg-side but Maxwell can't clip the ball to the fine-leg rope. A cut through point brings a single before Faulkner adds one more with a sharp run to point. One more to mid-wicket and it's six runs from the over.
Maxwell hammers the ball straight down the ground but N. McCullum does well running from long-on to restrict Australia to a single. Sloppy from Ronchi behind the stumps and that mistake allows the batsmen to sneak a bye. McClenaghan fools Maxwell with a very good slower ball and the bowler is unlucky not to take a wicket with the delivery. Impressive over from McClenaghan, just two runs scored. Four overs left in the innings.
Australia's innings is just tailing off a bit now as New Zealand take their seventh wicket. Faulkner skips down the pitch to Williamson but can only drive the ball straight to McClenaghan, who takes a simple catch.
Williamson is pushed through the covers by Faulkner for a couple at the start of a new over.
WICKET! FAULKNER (6) C McCLENAGHAN B WILLIAMSON
Mitchell Johnson is the new batsman and he almost makes a mistake when he considers a single following a thick edge to point. No freedom offered to the new batsman and it's another very good over from Williamson.
Maxwell steers the ball to deep cover for a single before Johnson paddle-sweeps to fine-leg for four runs. McClenaghan appeals for lbw but the question is laughed at by the umpire. A full toss allows Johnson to step away and drill four through extra cover.
WICKET! JOHNSON (8) C B. McCULLUM B McCLENAGHAN
Clint McKay takes a single from his second ball to keep the strike. Just two overs left.
Johnson goes straight after hitting consecutive boundaries. McClenaghan's slower ball is struck straight to McCullum at cover and the skipper makes no mistake. Poor shot but Australia must attack at this stage.
McKay hands the strike to Maxwell at the start of the over. Australia's last recognised batsman displays his power with a six over mid-wicket. Williamson abandons a delivery when Maxwell moves before the ball is bowled. There's nothing the spinner can do though when Maxwell switch-hits for four more behind square. Wow! it just gets better for Australia when Maxwell launches a huge six over square-leg. A thick edge squirms away and Maxwell sneaks a single. Important over for Australia, who pick up 18 runs from the six balls.
Despite losing early wickets, Australia battled well in that innings to take control in the middle overs. However, New Zealand's late fightback restricted the batting side late on. Australia may have been targeting closer to 260 but Bailey will be content with the total.
McClenaghan delivers two dot balls at the start of the final over. The seamer then pushes too hard and is penalised for an above waist-high no-ball. Maxwell hammers a pull shot to deep mid-wicket and runs well to pick up two. A slower bouncer is too good for the batsman and it's another dot ball. Maxwell hurries two from the final ball but it's just five from a very good final over.
McClenaghan was impressive once again as he recorded figures of 4-65 while New Zealand's spinners showed good control. It's a very slow pitch at Edgbaston and the Kiwis will have to bat well to win today.
We'll take a quick break now but return in around 30 minutes when New Zealand will be chasing 244 to record a victory.
Welcome back everyone. Australia will probably be quietly confident at the halfway stage of this match. It's a slow pitch and batting will become more difficult as the game progresses. New Zealand must start their reply well.
Ronchi gets off the mark in superb style as he drives the first ball of the innings through the covers for four. Johnson responds with a shorter ball that leaves Ronchi, who dangerously hangs his bat in the air outside off-stump. A single is then taken to third man. Guptill chooses to block out the remainder of the over. Good pace shown from Johnson.
Australia's seamers must have a good day with the ball. If Johnson, McKay and Faulkner can keep things tight early, Xavier Doherty will have a big role to play.
Guptill is out in the middle with opening partner Ronchi. In the absence of Mitchell Starc, Johnson will bowl the first over.
McKay begins his spell with an impressive tight line just outside off-stump. Ronchi is tempted into driving and a thick edge races through a gap at gully for a single. Good start for McKay.
Ronchi does well to stand tall in his crease and punch the ball through mid-wicket for three runs. Guptill connects with a drive but Bailey does well at mid-off to prevent any runs from being scored. A nudge into a gap on the leg-side brings two more before Guptill reaches the rope with a superbly timed push through the covers. The same batsman adds a single and he'll keep the strike.
McKay loses his line and is punished for a wide down the leg-side. Williamson shows good defence throughout the over but manages to sneak a single from the final ball to keep the strike.
Guptill lets fly with a big swing outside off-stump but a thick edge means he only picks up a single. Ronchi adds another just in front of square on the leg-side.
WICKET! GUPTILL (8) C MAXWELL B McKAY
Important wicket for Australia. Guptill drives on the up and can only pick out Maxwell at point with the mistimed shot. A key player heads back to the dressing room and Williamson will replace him.
Watson comes into the attack for the first time to bowl the fifth over. Ronchi defends early on before getting off strike thanks to a leg-bye. Williamson pushes his first ball to mid-off and takes a big risk by sneaking a single, with Johnson just missing the stumps with his throw. Ronchi drives the ball through the air on the off-side for four from the final delivery of the over.
Williamson is tempted into playing a loose cut shot when Watson delivers a wider ball but, luckily for the batsman, there's no edge. A fuller ball is pushed straight to Doherty at mid-on and Williamson continues to pick out the fielders throughout the over. It's a maiden.
WICKET! RONCHI (14) C WATSON B McKAY
New Zealand lose their second wicket when Ronchi guides a thick edge to Watson, who has been placed at about fourth slip by Bailey. It's a good sharp catch from Watson. Both openers have now gone, New Zealand need a partnership.
Ross Taylor collects two through cover from his first ball before guiding a single to third-man. McKay catches Williamson's edge but the ball drops short of Watson at first slip. A cut past point bring Williamson three runs and he'll keep the strike. Impressive start from McKay.
Williamson gets on top of the bounce to guide the ball through mid-wicket for a couple in Faulkner's over. Runs aren't coming too easily for the Kiwis at the moment. One of these two, probably Taylor, need to show some aggression at some point. It's Williamson who sits back to pull into the air but he gets away with the miscued shot to collect another run.
Williamson nudges the ball into a vacant space on the leg-side to pick up two runs at the start of the over. Watson offers the batsman some width but a powerful cut shot is hit straight to Maxwell at point. Williamson does find the gap later in the over with a perfect cover drive for four runs.
Faulkner comes into the attack as Bailey decides to save McKay for a bit later. The seamer produces a beauty to beat Taylor's edge when the batsman attempts to work the ball onto the leg-side. Taylor then nudges the ball to mid-on for one before Williamson blocks the final delivery. That's the end of the first powerplay.
Taylor brilliantly times a drive at the start of a new over from Johnson but Bailey does superbly at cover to keep the same batsman on strike. Johnson delivers a slightly slower bouncer and Taylor does well to earn a single on the leg-side from the delivery. Bad news, it's started to rain. Williamson survives the remainder of the over. It might just be a shower at Edgbaston but we'll see what the umpires think now.
The umpires come together between overs and both seem happy to stay out there at the moment. It's not too heavy at the moment so hopefully it'll be dry soon enough.
Taylor opens the face of the bat to push a single through the covers. Williamson adds another with a nudge into the leg-side. Faulkner is too wide later in the over and Taylor is able to guide the ball past slip for one more single. Steady stuff from Faulkner.
Johnson is too full but Taylor once again finds Bailey with his drive to cover. A thick edge sails past the man at point to give the batsman a single. Williamson shuffles across the crease to pick up a run behind square on the off-side. Just two from the over.
The current forecast suggests that Edgbaston could be in for some bad weather as the afternoon progresses. Keep everything crossed and we might enjoy some luck.
Doherty comes into the attack for the first time. The spinner beats Williamson's outside edge early in the over before losing his line and being swept to fine-leg for a couple. Decent start for Doherty, who concedes four in the over.
That means that England can cement their place in the semi-finals by beating Sri Lanka tomorrow at The Oval. Sri Lanka would exit the competition if they lose. Big game and I'll be here tomorrow to take you through it.
RAIN STOPS PLAY: The rain is persisting at Edgbaston and some more dark clouds have started to gather around the ground. Both umpires agree to come off and the ground staff come on with the covers. I suppose we were asking too much for no game to be delayed in a tournament being held in England.
After 15 overs of New Zealand's innings they are 193 runs short of their target. Williamson currently has 18 and Taylor is on nine. Remember, New Zealand must bat for 20 overs for the Duckworth-Lewis method to be used.
The entire square at Edgbaston has now been covered, so it looks like the delay could last a while. An extra hour can be added to scheduled finish time in an attempt to complete a game.
It's very, very dark around Warwickshire. There's plenty of rain in the surrounding areas. I'd be surprised if this game isn't at least shortened and that could change this match dramatically.
A shortened game and a different total could help New Zealand. One thing is for certain, Australia will want to finish this match. Each team will get one point if the game ends as a no result and that probably won't be good enough for Australia.
I'd love to bring you better news but the rain is still falling at Edgbaston and there's no sign of the bad weather going away just yet.
If you missed the news this morning, David Warner is not playing in this game after reports of an altercation with an England player in a Birmingham bar were confirmed by Cricket Australia. That player is believed to be Joe Root, full statetment from the ECB here - Warner initiated "unprovoked" attack
If I told you that an England player was involved in a bar scuffle on Saturday night, how many guesses would it take for you to land on Joe Root? Amazing story but I'm guessing we'll never find out everything.
Not many people left in the stands at Edgbaston and I think that tell us the real story today. If this rain continues for too much longer, we could be heading for our first abandonment of the tournament.
If this game is abandoned, Sri Lanka will be knocked out of the competition with a loss against England tomorrow.
New Zealand still need 193 runs to win but if this match does resume at some point, the total will surely be reduced.
New Zealand may benefit from this delay, if the game resumes. Duckworth-Lewis will surely come into effect and that means New Zealand would be chasing a smaller total with eight wickets in hand.
Let's take a minute to look at who are the main contenders for the tournament following the first week of matches.
INDIA: MS Dhoni's side have looked in top form in the first two games and have already booked their spot in the semi-finals following wins over South Africa and the West Indies. Shikhar Dhawan has hit two centuries in the tournament and few would back against the Indians at this stage.
ENGLAND: A victory over old rivals Australia last Saturday allowed England to make the perfect start to the competition. Questions remain over their attacking intentions with the bat but Alastair Cook's side contains the quality to beat any team on their home soil. James Anderson and Stuart Broad will be important but it's spinners Graeme Swann and James Tredwell who could prove the difference as the competition progresses.
SOUTH AFRICA: After losing to India in the first game of the tournament it looked like South Africa would struggle to make an impact in the group stage. However, a side without Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn managed to claim a vital win against Pakistan in their second match to reignite the team's hopes of qualifying. Steyn is being tipped to return at some point and with Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers in their batting lineup, it would be foolish to rule them out.
SRI LANKA: New Zealand managed to sneak home by one wicket in the game of the tournament so far against Sri Lanka on Sunday. However, Angelo Mathews has taken pride from his side's ability to come so close to defending a low total. Lasith Malinga looked in top form with the ball but they'll need something special, starting with a win against England tomorrow, if they are to reach the semi-finals.
WEST INDIES: DJ Bravo's side continue to both frustrate and entertain cricket supporters in equal measure. The Windies edged a low-scoring match with Pakistan last weak and at time look like they could storm past sides with their unique brand of attacking cricket. However, India were able to dominate the T20 world champions yesterday to leave hopes of qualification in the balance. They'll need Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels to start firing if they are to justify their label as one of the pre-tournament favourites.
Pakistan's chances of making the semi-finals disappeared following India's win over the West Indies yesterday. It's difficult to call a winner at this stage of the competition, are India favourites?
It's looking increasingly likely that this came could be abandoned. Let's hope not because, even with overs being reduced, we could be in for a thrilling end.
I thought we had conquered the rain. No interruptions in the tournament before today but Edgbaston is being drenched at the moment. Let's hope we don't see much more of this in the next few days.
It's still raining. I'm not sure how much longer the umpires will let this go on for before they make a decision on whether to abandon the match.
BREAKING NEWS: The umpires have confirmed that they will inspect the field of play at 6.15pm. A decision will then be made on whether this game will restart at some point.
It has stopped raining at Edgbaston but there are still plenty of dark clouds surrounding the ground. If the umpires think the outfield is fine, we could be back on soon but another downpour will more than likely see this game abandoned.
If this game does get back underway New Zealand will resume on 51-2, 193 runs behind their original target. However, that target is likely to change due to the Duckworth-Lewis method.
Encouraging signs at Edgbaston. It's beginning to brighten up and it's still dry. We could have a reduced game on our hands.
The umpires are just about to come out to the middle. The square has been covered, so my guess is that they'll want to look at the outfield mainly.
MATCH ABANDONED: The umpires have decided that we cannot resume tonight and the game has been abandoned. Both sides take a point each, decent news for New Zealand but certainly not what Australia wanted.
From the pictures that I've seen, the problem is the outfield. Plenty of standing water at the moment. Bailey looked disappointed but his side aren't out of the competition just yet.
Good day for England, good day for New Zealand. It's been frustrating but I suppose it would be too much to ask for the weather to not intervene at some point during this competition.
Thanks for joining me today. Come back at 12.30pm tomorrow for England vs. Sri Lanka. Goodbye.
Written by
Callum Mulvihill
Callum Mulvihill
