Australia, New Zealand face-off at the Oval

The Champions Trophy, despite being at the pool stage, reaches its knockout phase when the Aussies meet the Kiwis at the Oval on Thursday.

The Champions Trophy, despite still being at the pool stage, reaches its knockout phase when world champions Australia meet New Zealand at the Oval on Thursday.

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With only the winners of each of the four pools advancing to the semi-finals, the matches between the top-eight ranked cricket nations over the next four days are now sudden death.

New Zealand opened the Pool A campaign with a 210-run victory over the United States, Nathan Astle anchoring their 347-run innings with a career-best 145 not out.

Australia then bowled the Americans out for 65 in their match, and in order to better New Zealand's run rate, smashed their way to victory in the eighth over.

However, their respective victories can not really be treated as an indicator of who is playing the better cricket. New Zealand lost the toss and were forced to bat first, while Australia won the toss and inserted the US.