Match facts
June 5, 2017
Start time 1330 local (1230 GMT)
Bangladesh will expect batsmen apart from Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim to step up © Getty Images
Big picture
The quest for a place in the semi-finals begins now for Australia and Bangladesh whose respective first matches in the tournament didn’t go to plan. They need to register a win quickly, although Australia at least got a point out of their New Zealand match while Bangladesh lost to England.
Bangladesh would now have to lift themselves by batting at a faster rate, bowling much better and select a more balanced XI than they did in the last game. Tamim Iqbal stood out with his century, putting a big partnership with Mushfiqur Rahim, but Soumya Sarkar, Imrul Kayes and the rest failed to deceive. But with time running out, this is going to be their big opportunity.
Australia would have to bring the momentum from their late bowling revival against New Zealand. Josh Hazlewood troubled the middle and lower order with a six-wicket haul, bowling with much accuracy, as Australia took the last seven wickets for only 37 runs. It wasn’t that the rest of the bowling attack was completely off-colour, but the New Zealand batsmen latched on every opportunity they got.
Against Bangladesh, however, there might be a case of including Adam Zampa, who was Australia’s highest wicket-taker in 2016, as the match will be played on a used pitch. He has been quite effective in the middle overs which would be crucial against an experienced Bangladesh top and middle order.
Australia will also be hoping to get tips about Mustafizur Rahman from David Warner, his Sunrisers Hyderabad captain for the last two seasons. But if The Oval pitch doesn’t have a bit of roughness, it won’t be in Mustafizur’s advantage. The same can be said for Shakib Al Hasan and the other Bangladesh spinners.
As much as the contest will be a lot about Bangladesh’s batting taking on Australia’s bowling, the reverse tussle could also be attractive. But it will only be a real battle if Bangladesh can raise their mentality, skills and body language to match Australia’s quality in big tournaments.
Form guide
Australia LLWWW (last five completed matches, most recent first)
Bangladesh LWWLL
In the spotlight
His 72-ball 79 was smooth but since Mushfiqur Rahim fell at a crucial point in the game, a lot more will be expected from this experienced batsman. His handling of the tall Australian fast bowlers will be intriguing to see because he will want to take them on.
One of those tall bowlers is Josh Hazlewood who is also in top form. His six-wicket haul against New Zealand saved Australia from further embarrassment, but the performance will spread the confidence around the rest of their bowling attack that mustered just three wickets, conceding runs at 6.53 in 36 overs.
Australia’s tall fast bowlers will look to come hard at Bangladesh © Getty Images
Team news
Chris Lynn was among the first to hit the nets on Sunday before Travis Head and Glenn Maxwell started bowling, indicating there could be help for the spinners. But they might find it hard to pick a fast bowler to exclude for Zampa.
Australia: (probable) 1 David Warner, 2 Aaron Finch, 3 Steven Smith (capt), 4 Moises Henriques, 5 Glenn Maxwell, 6 Travis Head, 7 Matthew Wade (wk), 8 Mitchell Starc, 9 & 10 John Hastings/Adam Zampa/Pat Cummins, 11 Josh Hazlewood
Bangladesh “will think” about changing the balance of team to probably add an extra bowler in which case the axe will probably fall on Imrul Kayes. Mehedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed and left-arm spinner Sunzamul Islam are their choices. Sabbir Rahman should also return to his N.o 3 spot.
Bangladesh: (probable) 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Soumya Sarkar, 3 Sabbir Rahman, 4 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 5 Mahmudullah, 6 Shakib Al Hasan, 7 Mosaddek Hossain, 8 Mehedi Hasan, 9 Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), 10 Rubel Hossain, 11 Mustafizur Rahman
Pitch and conditions
Both teams will have to be ready for disruptions as there is the possibility of rain on Monday evening, accompanied by strong wind. Teams batting first have won seven out of 11 times in day-night games at The Oval, but it may not be the case in this game with teams hoping to chase to keep abreast of the adjusted total.
Stats and trivia
- Bangladesh’s 82 runs in the last 10 overs against England was their second-highest tally during the period of the innings in the last 12 months.
- From the current Australia squad, Josh Hazlewood holds the best bowling average away from home since the 2015 World Cup.
- Australia-Bangladesh ODIs are rare, the last completed match between the two was held over six years ago as their World Cup tie in 2015 was washed out.
Quotes
“Yeah, I think it is a used wicket obviously. The same one that South Africa and Sri Lanka played on yesterday. So, a used wicket here at The Oval can take some spin. So we’ve certainly got that in our mind.”
Australia captain Steven Smith is keeping tabs on the pitch for any team changes
“Yes, I think it might help. At least we know what score we can defend, or how much we have to score. So it might help a bit for the batters and bowlers.”
Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza on playing their second match at The Oval
Mohammad Isam is ESPNcricinfo’s Bangladesh correspondent. @isam84
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Source: ESPN Crickinfo