Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke said on Wednesday should his side successfully defend their Champions Trophy one day title it would give them a huge boost ahead of taking England on in the Ashes series which follows. The 32-year-old is seeking a pick me up ahead of the Ashes next month after a humiliating 4-0 test series loss to India which was also marked by serious splits in the squad which resulted in disciplinary action being taken against several players.

Rain provided further frustration for Australia, on a day when they dropped David Warner for a bar-room attack on England's Joe Root, as their Champions Trophy match against New Zealand ended in a no result. Wednesday's wash-out at Edgbaston left defending champions Australia facing a tough battle to qualify for the semi-finals. New Zealand, chasing 244 to win, were on 51 for two off 15 overs when rain stopped play in the Group A clash at 3.40pm local time (1440GMT).

Australia batsman David Warner was dropped for the country's Champions Trophy match against New Zealand on Wednesday, Cricket Australia said, after a bar-room attack on England's Joe Root. Cricket Australia said the player had been reported for breaching its code of conduct relating to "unbecoming behaviour" after a "physical altercation" with an unnamed player after the two teams' Champions Trophy on Sunday. England captain Alastair Cook later confirmed the identity of the player involved as Yorkshire batsman Root.

New Zealand were 51 for two, needing a further 193 runs to reach their victory target of 244, when rain stopped play at 3.40pm local time (1440GMT) in their Champions Trophy Group A match against Australia at Edgbaston on Wednesday. Kane Williamson was 18 not out and Ross Taylor unbeaten on nine. Only 15 overs had been bowled in New Zealand's innings thus far, with a minimum of 20 required to allow either side to win this match. Defending champions Australia made 243 for eight with Adam Voges top-scoring with 71 and stand-in captain George Bailey, who won the toss, 55.