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Rediff.com  » Sports » Australia through to play-off final

Australia through to play-off final

February 28, 2008 19:37 IST
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Australia is through to the final of the Super League play-off on Saturday despite its semi-final against Bangladesh being abandoned due to rain in Kuala Lumpur.

The Aussies will play England in the play-off final thanks to the fact that it has a superior net run-rate throughout the tournament to that of Bangladesh.

As it was, when the rain came Australia was very much on top in the match having bowled Bangladesh out for 115 and then progressed to 18 without loss after six overs.

Having won the toss and elected to bat, Bangladesh began steadily enough getting to 51-1. But then the Australian bowlers did the damage as Bangladesh collapsed from 87-3 to 115 all out.

Clive Rose (2-18), David King (2-17) and Josh Hazelwood (2-34) were the pick of Australia's attack.

But the skies had looked ominous for some time before the close of the Bangladesh innings and not long after Australia's opening batsmen had strode the wicket, the clouds burst and the rains came. No further play was possible and Australia was declared the winner based on its superior net run-rate averaged out over the course of the tournament to date. It was the first game in the tournament so far to be abandoned due to rain.

That was the only scheduled game of the day while tomorrow the big match is at Kinrara Oval when South Africa plays Pakistan in the second Super League semi-final.

The winner of that will play India in Sunday's final.

Tomorrow's day-night semi-final will be televised live by ICC's host broadcaster ESPN-STAR Sports with play getting underway at 1400 local time.

Elsewhere, Ireland takes on Bermuda in the Plate Championship play-off semi-final at Johor Cricket Academy. Play there starts at 1000.

Scores in brief:

Super League Play-Off Semi-final 2

At Bayuemas, Australia v Bangladesh – match abandoned (Australia go through on superior net run-rate)

Bangladesh 115 all out, 41.2 overs (Amit Majumder 43; David King 2-17, Clive Rose 2-18)

Australia 18-0, 6 overs.

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