June 3 (CRICKETNMORE) - Australia captain Steven Smith looked upset with the bowlers performance against New Zealand and expecting a better performance from them in the remaining matches of the Champions Trophy after an "ordinary" display in their no result opener against New Zealand.
Rain came to Australia's rescue when, after several interruptions, Friday's match was finally abandoned with Smith's men 53 for three off nine overs in pursuit of a revised victory target of 235 in 33.
Smith was not at all happy with the performance of the bowlers. He said, " "I thought it was probably one of the worst bowling displays that we've put on for a very long time,"
Although fast bowler Josh Hazlewood took 6/52 but his figures could not disguise poor returns for fellow quicks Mitchell Starc (none for 52) and Pat Cummins (one for 67).
"We bowled both sides of wicket. We gave them a lot of freebies. And it was pretty ordinary, to be honest with you."
"Let's hope it's rust and let's hope it's gone," said Smith. "Because that was pretty ordinary.
"Credit to them they came out quite hard and played quite well up top and got their innings going.
"Kane timed his innings beautifully, played really well throughout the middle but we did not bowl well at all."
With inputs from Agency