T20 World Cup 2024, AUS vs BAN 44th Match, Super Eights, Group 1 Match Preview
Game details
Australia vs Bangladesh
Antigua, 8.30pm local time
Big Picture
Australia’s bid to unify the ICC trophies in all three formats will now face a challenge from Asia. First up will be Bangladesh, a team they have never lost to in a five-match global T20 World Cup.
Australia’s progress to the Super Eight was expected and very good – save for their low performance in their attempt to play against Scotland, a game that didn’t result for them but more for the opposition, and England.
For Bangladesh, expectations were low after their pre-tournament series loss in the USA. They had to get out of a tough group that included South Africa and Sri Lanka – a narrow win against them seemed crucial, although there were some scares against Nepal.
Australia’s attacking depth is great, too. Nathan Ellis has made three group stage appearances and has been impressive in each, but he may be left behind in the big three.
Form guide
(last five games completed, most recent first)
Australia WWWWW
Bangladesh WWLWW
Highlights: Travis Head and Rishad Hossain
Since he was in the ODI World Cup, after the initial delay due to injury, Travis Head it was front and center for Australia’s success. The Super Eight stage would be an interesting view of the area of his game that he has worked on: his play and spin. It’s something that brought impressive results in the IPL where he finished with a score of 164.51, but England were drawn to openers with Moeen Ali and Will Jacks which did not go well. Bangladesh have a good handful of pace bowlers, but will they be tempted into powerplay spin against Head?
Party issues: Australia’s balance question
Mitchell Marsh did not reveal his team on the eve of the match, but there is only one decision Australia have to make – whether to go with three quicklines or two front spinners. The first would seem to be the most likely option.
Australia (probable) 1 David Warner, 2 Travis Head, 3 Mitchell Marsh (capt), 4 Glenn Maxwell, 5 Marcus Stoinis, 6 Tim David, 7 Matthew Wade (wk), 8 Pat Cummins, 9 Mitchell Starc, 10 Adam Zampa, 11 Josh Hazlewood
Chandika Hathurusinghe, who knows a lot of Australian players well from his time with New South Wales, was giving little away before the game but an unchanged XI is expected. “It all depends on the situation,” he said. “Maybe it’s a little opposition as well. We’ll take that into account, their limitations. And then we play to our strengths.”
Bangladesh (probable) 1 Tanzid Hasan, 2 Litton Das (wk), 3 Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), 4 Shakib Al Hasan, 5 Towhid Hridoy, 6 Mahmudullah, 7 Jaker Ali, 8 Tanzim Shakib, 9 Rishad Hossain, 10 Taskin Ahmed, 11 Mustafizur Rahman
Tone and context
North Sound has the second highest strike rate of the grounds used during this tournament so it was one of the better reasons for the batsmen. The breeze can play an important factor. Chance of rain but nothing too severe.
Important statistics
Quotes
“Obviously they are playing good cricket and we know in these conditions that Bangladesh are a strong team. So, we have a lot of respect for them and hopefully we can bring our A game.”
Mitchell Marsh
“Recently the pitches have been very difficult for the batsmen in many places. And it is very difficult to read the pitches. We thought that in St. Vincent the pitches were good, then it became very difficult. And many bowlers- friendly, not only the pace or the spin, both, it is difficult for the batsmen.”
Chandika Hathurusinghe
Andrew McGlashan is deputy editor at ESPNcricinfo
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