The Champions Trophy match between Australia and South Africa was abandoned due to rain without any play, resulting in both teams sharing points in Group B. South Africa maintain their lead in the group with three points, ahead of Australia on net run rate.
South Africa hold a strong position to advance with one match remaining. Their convincing 107-run victory over Afghanistan elevated their net run rate to +2.140. A win against England in their final match would secure their semi-final spot.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The Proteas could still qualify even with a loss to England, provided England doesn't win both their remaining matches (against Afghanistan and South Africa).
Australia's path to qualification remains in their control. A victory against Afghanistan in their final game would guarantee their semi-final berth. However, if they lose to Afghanistan, they would need South Africa to defeat England to progress.
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England face a must-win situation after their demoralising loss to Australia in the opener. They need victories in both remaining matches to have any chance of qualifying.
The crucial match between England and Afghanistan on Wednesday will determine the fate of all four teams in the group. If both Australia and South Africa lose their final group matches, the winner of England versus Afghanistan will advance to the semi-finals.
Afghanistan currently sit at the bottom of Group B following their comprehensive loss to South Africa. They must defeat both England and Australia in their remaining matches to have any chance of qualifying.
Champions Trophy Group BPosition | Team | P | W | L | NR | Tied | NRR | Points |
1. | South Africa | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +2.140 | 3 |
2. | Australia | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +0.475 | 3 |
3. | England | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -0.475 | 0 |
4. | Afghanistan | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -2.140 | 0 |
The situation has turned every upcoming Group B match into a potential elimination game.
The qualification scenarios are clear. If Afghanistan win both matches against England and Australia, and England defeat South Africa, either South Africa or Australia will qualify based on net run rate.
If Afghanistan win both matches and South Africa beat England, Afghanistan and South Africa will advance.
If England defeat Afghanistan but lose to Australia, and South Africa win, both Australia and South Africa will progress.
Should England win both their remaining matches and Australia beat Afghanistan, England and Australia will qualify.
If England win both matches and Afghanistan defeat Australia, England will advance along with either Australia or South Africa, depending on net run rate.
The remaining matches in England's campaign against Afghanistan and South Africa will determine which teams advance from Group B.