ICC Champions Trophy 2017, England vs Australia: 5 things Australia did wrong

Modified Jun 11, 2017 10:08 IST

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - JUNE 10: Steve Smith the captain of Australia looks on as Eoin Morgan and Ben Stokes continue their fourth wicket partnership during the ICC Champions Trophy match between England and Australia at Edgbaston on June 10, 2017 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images) — Steven Smith led poorly as Australia were trounced by England at Edgbaston

#1 Poor fielding and worse captaincy

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - JUNE 10: Australia bowler Adam Zampa reacts during the ICC Champions Trophy match between England and Australia at Edgbaston on June 10, 2017 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) — Zampa wasn't given the ball until the Stokes-Morgan partnership was in full swing

Australia are known to turn up for must win-games with a confidence that only the Aussie seem to get. Yet, in their most important game of the Group, the Aussies were grasping at thin air with their tactics, captaincy and fielding. As if Wade dropping Morgan's attempted pull was not enough, Maxwell put down Buttler with England still 70 runs away from victory.

Smith's captaincy was way off mark, as he ran out of ideas with Morgan and Stokes on the charge. Supposedly picked for his wicket-taking ability, Zampa wasn't brought on until the partnership was well set. Although both were left-handers and Zampa would be turning the ball into them, a leg-spinner quite early in the innings could have been tempting for Stokes to take on.

The Aussie skipper also showed little foresight with his bowling changes and field placements. All of this played into England's hands at Edgbaston.