Australia's Aaron Finch takes a run during the ICC Champions Trophy match between Australia and New Zealand at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Friday. Photo: AP
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"We would have preferred being in New Zealand's position when we came off," Smith acknowledged, the downpour landing as Australia slumped to 3-53 in pursuit of a reduced 235 in 33 overs. "We still had a lot of work to do and they've got a quality bowling attack."
The skipper scolded his front-line bowling quartet, describing it as "one of the worst displays" they had turned in during his leadership tenure. "We gave them a lot of freebies and it was pretty ordinary to be honest with you," he said.
Scrutiny also falls on Australia's top order for the mode of their dismissals.
First, David Warner fell uncharacteristically compared to the discipline that has defined his one-day international dominance, dancing and edging Trent Boult moments after cutting an imposing six. His premeditated end may have been a response to Aaron Finch's ropey start. Finch gifted a catch to mid-wicket from a nondescript Adam Milne delivery an over later.
Moises Henriques, a surprise selection at number four, returned a chance to the same bowler after a frenetic stay, the final ball bowled before play ended. Henriques, who hasn't reached 20 in nine ODIs, was favoured over Chris Lynn and Marcus Stoinis, who clobbered a 146 not out when the teams met in January.
Smith said it was planned during the week for Henriques to play rather than a last-minute decision. "Hopefully we can see him score some runs in the next game," he added.
Earlier, Josh Hazlewood was the catalyst for Australia's fightback, the Kiwis until then controlling the tempo, reaching 3-254 in 39 overs. The subsequent collapse read 7-37 in 36 balls, Hazlewood claiming 5-15 in his second shift to finish with 6-52 â the second best return in Champions Trophy history.
Williamson batted through the productive period of the NZ innings. At his elegant best, he accumulated then accelerated with equal ease. His first ODI century against Australia, brought up in 95 balls, looked inevitable from the moment he arrived.
"He's a very smart cricketer, he understands his game incredibly well," Smith said of his opposing number. "And it looks like he's just getting better as well."
But Williamson didn't add to his ton, through a combination of confused running and clever fielding from Henriques at backward point then Cummins at the stumps.
Hazlewood found Martin Guptill's edge early on, but was also guilty of inconsistent direction. At the death he outclassed the tail with three wickets in four balls.
Luke Ronchi hit 65 in 43 balls either side of a 109-minute delay. The Kiwi, who once represented Australia, was thrown to the top of the order in the absence of the injured Tom Latham.
Smith takes his team to the Oval in London to play Bangladesh on Monday. He knows any slip from here means one thing for sure: the indignity of an early flight home.
New Zealand's Adam Milne celebrates the dismissal of Australia's Moises Henriques as the rain falls at Edgbaston. Photo: AP
Dark clouds close in. Photo: Getty Images
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