Australia and Bangladesh will play the 43rd match of this tournament on 11 November. The group stage matches are nearing the end. The situation is far more clear now. And all the matches from now on will only provide entertainment for the crowd and an opportunity for the semi-finalists to test any more things before the must-win matches. Continue reading to know more about this match.
POINTS TABLE: ICC Cricket World Cup points table 2023
Match preview
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The journey so far – Australia and Bangladesh
Australia struggled at the start. And since the win against Sri Lanka, they haven’t seen behind. They have been winning all the matches. However, the recent match against Afghanistan was almost out of their grasp. Courtesy Glenn Maxwell, Australia has been unbeaten. Australia’s journey has indicated that they are going for another Cricket World Cup win.
AUSTRALIA: Australia team for ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 [Announced]
Bangladesh didn’t have a good tournament this time. However, you can argue that they wouldn’t do any better either. They have 4 points right now. If Bangladesh did their best, it was expected that they would have 6 points at best. Shakib, most probably, has played his last World Cup.
Bangladesh’s bad luck is that Shakib has been ruled out of the tournament. This was not the send-off he would have expected, especially after the episode with Angelo Mathews. Bangladesh will look forward to having a better end in this match.
BANGLADESH: Bangladesh Squad for World Cup 2023 [Announced]
Key Players
From Australia’s standpoint, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazelwood will be their key players. Batsmen will play their best. However, who will be that X factor in this batting-friendly surface? Yes, the bowlers have to do it. And Starc will give his best since this might be his last World Cup.
If we talk about Bangladesh, they have lost Shakib. This will be a big blow for them in this match. However, it should be noted that this pitch isn’t that spinners-friendly to begin with. Hence, Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim must step up and be the best for Bangladesh.
Pitch report
You have to keep two things in mind when you talk about Pune:
- Batting-friendly
- Good for pacers
This makes the spinner’s role a secondary one. So, Zampa and Mehidy Miraz might not be that effective. However, the likes of Starc and Taskin will get good bounce and pace from this surface. This also means the ball will get much better on the bat. Hence, pinch hitters will get some good time here.
Possible playing 11
The Aussies might bring back Smith in the squad. He was suffering from vertigo and missed the game against Afghanistan. But this might be the best time for him to return to the game. The rest of the squad might remain the same.
Bangladesh will replace Shakib with Shanto as their skipper. This leaves a space for an allrounder in the squad. And it seems that Nasum or Mehdi may get a chance in this match.
Predictions
Australia will win this match. They are far better side and have fixed their place for the semi-finals. Bangladesh have lost Shakib, which is a massive blow for them. I rest my case here. Any surprise from Bangladesh will be exciting. But that might be wishful thinking at this point.
Highlights
Australia won the toss, and they chose to bowl first. It seems like they want to chase today.
| BANGLADESH | AUSTRALIA |
|---|---|
| Tanzid Hassan | Travis Head |
| Litton Das | David Warner |
| Najmul Hossain Shanto | Mitchell Marsh |
| Towhid Hridoy | Steven Smith |
| Mahmudullah | Marnus Labuschagne |
| Mushfiqur Rahim | Josh Inglis |
| Mehidy Hasan Miraz | Marcus Stoinis |
| Nasum Ahmed | Pat Cummins |
| Mahedi Hasan | Adam Zampa |
| Taskin Ahmed | Josh Hazelwood |
| Mustafizur Rahman | Sean Abbot |
1st Innings – Bangladesh
| BANGLADESH 306-8 (50 overs) | |
| BATTING | BOWLING |
| Towhid Hridoy 74 (79) | Adam Zampa 2-32 |
| Najmul Hossain Shanto 45 (57) | Sean Abbott 2-61 |
| Tanzid Hasan 36 (34) | Marcus Stoinis 1-45 |
| TARGET | 307 runs in 50 overs |
- Bangladesh has passed 300 for the first time in the competition; this is their finest batting performance, even though the pitch is batting-friendly and the square boundaries are shorter.
- The openers got them off to a good start, adding 76 at better than run-a-ball. There were several starts from key Bangladeshi batters, but only Hridoy got past 50
- They didn’t help themselves with some silly shots and running, and Labuschagne chipped in with two key run-outs to derail Nazmul Shanto’s and Mahmudullah’s starts.
- After that, Abbott and Stoinis teamed nicely in the final four overs, but Bangladesh still had runs on the board.
2nd Innings – Australia
| AUSTRALIA 307-2 (44.4 overs) | |
| BATTING | BOWLING |
| Mitchell Marsh 177 (132) | Mustafizur Rahman 1-76 |
| Steven Smith 63 (64) | Taskin Ahmed 1-61 |
| David Warner 53 (61) | Mahedi Hasan 0-38 |
| RESULT | Australia won by 8 wickets at hand. |
- This was Australia’s most successful run chase in World Cup history. Despite Travis Head’s cheap fall, Warner and Marsh were not about to miss out on a batting deck to die for.
- The former opening duo put up a 120-run partnership for the second wicket, and Warner’s demise resulted from a series of dots that Bangladesh put together before his removal.
- Steve Smith did his typical thing and let Marsh play his natural game.
- Not only did Mitch Marsh get his highest ODI score, but he also did not go out, which would have satisfied many of his harshest critics.
- The confidence on the front foot, playing through the line, aiming for the small square boundaries, and sweeping the ball for enjoyment. Overall, Mitch Marsh made batting appear so simple.
Man of the match
What an innings from Marsh. He has been one of the most exciting talents in this World Cup. With the ball, he can go through those middle overs. And with the bat, he does what he did today. Completely dominated the bowlers.