Large image: Australia look to fine-tune towards Bangladesh forward of semi-final
Earlier than Glenn Maxwell unleashed essentially the most surreal batting possible, Australia appeared headed for a hefty defeat towards Afghanistan and nearly entering into must-win territory towards Bangladesh. That nervy state of affairs was alleviated by Maxwell, who powered Australia right into a semi-final towards South Africa. However Australia will not be treating this as a useless rubber and can area their strongest out there line-up for the conflict in Pune.
Though Australia have received six consecutive matches, after such a rocky begin, their kind has been patchy at instances. They have been counting on particular person brilliance – none extra so than Maxwell’s tour de drive – relatively than a collective.
Australia nonetheless face choice points in a bid to search out the proper stability. They’ve a number of gamers struggling for consistency as Australia look to supply a extra full efficiency towards an opponent out of semi-final rivalry.
However Bangladesh are in a struggle to be among the many prime eight groups to qualify for the Champions Trophy. An upset will go a great distance in the direction of this and notching consecutive victories may even guarantee a robust end for Bangladesh, whose event hopes nosedived after beating Afghanistan of their opener.
However there’s a feeling that that is greater than the tip of their marketing campaign amid off-field rumblings. Bangladesh are coping with a number of exits from their dressing room. Quick-bowling coach Allan Donald and laptop analyst Shrinivas Chandrasekaran have introduced that they will not be renewing their contracts. In Donald’s case, there’s controversy because the BCB sought an evidence from him after he criticised captain Shakib Al Hasan’s enchantment within the drama over Angelo Mathews’ timed out dismissal.
Extra teaching workers adjustments are seemingly, however Bangladesh will likely be hoping the off-field turmoil doesn’t have an effect on them of their bid to complete a disappointing World Cup marketing campaign on a vivid word.
Australia WWWWW (final 5 accomplished matches, most up-to-date first)
Bangladesh WLLLL
Within the highlight: Mitchell Starc and Taskin Ahmed
Solely Glenn McGrath and Muthiah Muralidaran have taken extra World Cup wickets than left-arm fast Mitchell Starc, who starred within the 2015 and 2019 editions. However Starc has struggled to search out his prime kind on this event with 10 wickets at 43.90 and an economic system price of 6.55. He has taken simply 5 wickets in his final 5 video games culminating with 1 for 70 from 9 overs towards Afghanistan, the place Starc could not bother the batters early and he was torn aside on the dying in a ragged show. If Australia are to win a sixth title, Starc must rediscover his greatest and he has a golden alternative to show round his kind towards a Bangladesh batting order inclined to left-arm tempo.
Fast Taskin Ahmed lastly bowled effectively within the World Cup after a number of strange outings. Though he completed wicketless for the second straight match, his tempo was up and his wobble seam supply was on present towards Sri Lanka. He bowled a robust opening spell, after which delivered tight bowling within the center and on the finish. He conceded simply 39 runs in 10 overs to be clearly his crew’s most economical bowler. Taskin is called the bowling pack chief, so it was necessary that he bounced again after detached performances.
Group information: Smith set to return from vertigo, Shakib dominated out
Steven Smith is prone to return after lacking the match towards Afghanistan because of vertigo, whereas Maxwell faces a health check after severely cramping throughout his herculean innings. If they’re out there to play, Australia may have a totally match squad to select from for the primary time this event. Marnus Labuschagne or Marcus Stoinis will seemingly make means for Smith relying on what sort of stability the crew administration leans in the direction of. Labuschagne is an identical sort of batter to Smith and has been a constant scorer within the event though he’s placing sedately at 77. Stoinis has typically struggled, however offers alluring big-hitting and all-round abilities very similar to Maxwell.
Australia (possible): 1 David Warner, 2 Travis Head, 3 Mitchell Marsh, 4 Steven Smith, 5 Josh Inglis (wk), 6 Glenn Maxwell, 7 Marcus Stoinis/Marnus Labuschagne, 8 Pat Cummins (capt), 9 Mitchell Starc, 10 Adam Zampa, 11 Josh Hazlewood
Captain Shakib Al Hasan will miss this recreation with a fractured left index finger and he’s seemingly to get replaced by allrounder Mahedi Hasan or left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed. Anamul Haque, Shakib’s substitute within the squad, could be in line to exchange opener Tanzid Hasan, who has made only one half-century from eight innings within the event.
Bangladesh (possible): 1 Litton Das, 2 Tanzid Hasan/Anamul Haque, 3 Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), 4 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 5 Mahmudullah, 6 Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 7 Nasum Ahmed/Mahedi Hasan, 8 Towhid Hridoy, 9 Taskin Ahmed, 10 Mustafizur Rahman, 11 Shoriful Islam
The Maharashtra Cricket Affiliation floor has been batting-friendly with South Africa and England posting scores over 330 after batting first within the final two matches on the floor. However seamers have additionally finished effectively on a pitch providing bounce and carry.
Heat and sunny situations are anticipated on Saturday with a most temperature of 32 levels Celsius forecast.
“Will probably be based mostly on the floor. If we expect that we have now a floor that’s difficult in a sure space then we are able to shift in a single path. The extra bowling choices that we have now we really feel we are able to cowl by way of the opposition batting.”
Coach Andrew McDonald on Australia’s choice selections.
