🏏 Cricket World Cup 2023: Match #43: Australia vs Bangladesh🏏

🏏 Cricket World Cup 2023: Match #43: Australia vs Bangladesh at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune on 11/11/2023 at 10:30AM IST🏏

Australia chase perfect collective performance, Bangladesh eye Champions Trophy spot.

Steven Smith is likely to return after missing the Afghanistan game, whereas Bangladesh will be without Shakib Al Hasan

Before Glenn Maxwell unleashed the most surreal batting imaginable, Australia appeared headed for a hefty defeat against Afghanistan and almost getting into must-win territory against Bangladesh. That nervy scenario was alleviated by Maxwell, who powered Australia into a semi-final against South Africa. But Australia won't be treating this as a dead rubber and will field their strongest available line-up for the clash in Pune.

Even though Australia have won six consecutive matches, after such a rocky start, their form has been patchy at times. They've been relying on individual brilliance - none more so than Maxwell's tour de force - rather than a collective.

Australia still face selection issues in a bid to find the right balance. They have several players struggling for consistency as Australia look to produce a more complete performance against an opponent out of semi-final contention.

But Bangladesh are in a fight to be among the top eight teams to qualify for the Champions Trophy. An upset will go a long way towards this and notching consecutive victories will also ensure a strong finish for Bangladesh, whose tournament hopes nosedived after beating Afghanistan in their opener.

But there is a feeling that this is more than the end of their campaign amid off-field rumblings. Bangladesh are dealing with several exits from their dressing room. Fast-bowling coach Allan Donald and computer analyst Shrinivas Chandrasekaran have announced that they won't be renewing their contracts. In Donald's case, there is controversy as the BCB sought an explanation from him after he criticised captain Shakib Al Hasan's appeal in the drama over Angelo Mathews' timed out dismissal.

More coaching staff changes are likely, but Bangladesh will be hoping the off-field turmoil does not affect them in their bid to finish a disappointing World Cup campaign on a bright note.

Tag Credit: Sutapasima

Pune Weather Forecast:

The weather outlook for Pune sets an optimistic stage for an excellent match, featuring a mere 6% likelihood of precipitation. The anticipated humidity level hovers around 90%, and the temperature is projected to hold steady at approximately 23 degrees Celsius. Furthermore, a gentle breeze may be blow, with a speed of around 10 kmph.

Pitch and conditions:

The Maharashtra Cricket Association surface has been batting-friendly with South Africa and England posting scores over 330 after batting first in the last two matches at the ground. But seamers have also done well on a pitch offering bounce and carry.

Andrew McDonald received a bunch of messages from concerned junior coaches back home on Wednesday (November 8). It was the day after Glenn Maxwell had rewritten the record books and played the greatest ODI knock of all time. He had also along the way challenged if not threatened, inadvertently of course, the legitimacy of the textbook on batting technique. So, it wasn't surprising for McDonald that he had some of his fellow coaches on the line straight away, considering Maxwell's mania didn't contain the "don't try this at home" disclaimer.

"I had some text messages from some friends that went to cricket training the night after (the Afghanistan match) back home and what were they playing? Reverse-sweeps and scoops. So as a developing player, it's probably a little bit of a nightmare for the coaches," McDonald had said with a chuckle.

On Friday (November 10), on the eve of Australia's last league encounter against Bangladesh, it was McDonald himself who had to deal with a few of his batters displaying signs of being a bit too inspired by their enigmatic teammate. Maxwell himself wasn't on show at training in Pune, still recovering from the serious bout of cramps he'd suffered from in Mumbai.

Instead it was two batters, who you'd not ideally expect to overturn the textbook and go rogue with their shots, who seemed to have taken up the mantle from the latest double centurion in ODI cricket. And while Marnus Labuschagne didn't waste any time during his hit in the net to start attempting what else but "reverse sweeps and scoops" and the whole gamut of other shots straight out of the Maxwell book of batting mania. There was a reverse ramp very early on in his stint, with the ball nearly clearing the boundary at deep third. There were also numerous attempts thereafter, some successful, some not so much, at reverse-laps, reverse-scoops and reverse-paddles against both pace and spin.

Not too far away, Cameron Green, was doing the same. Stood across the net from Marcus Stoinis, who must have smashed at least four dozen deliveries into the empty blue seats at the MCA stadium, Green started off in more conventional fashion. But then he too entered the Maxwell twilight zone. Even if to a lesser level in comparison to Labuschagne and began having a go himself at the more unnatural shots in his repertoire.

It was obvious that a handful of days after Maxwell had played arguably the greatest ODI knock of all time, the impact of his miraculous performance was still highly evident in the Australian camp. If anything, they still seemed to be buzzing from it. With their semi-final now confirmed with South Africa, and more or less confirmed for Kolkata, the Aussies now have one final task of continuing their unbeaten run since the third game of their campaign by overcoming a Bangladesh team who will be without their captain and largely dispirited overall after a very disappointing showing in this World Cup. Bangladesh still have a lot to play for, however, with the spot in the next Champions Trophy still very much up for grabs with a number of teams in the lower half of the league table fighting against relegation.

In the spotlight: Mitchell Starc and Taskin Ahmed

Only Glenn McGrath and Muthiah Muralidaran have taken more World Cup wickets than left-arm quick Mitchell Starc, who starred in the 2015 and 2019 editions. But Starc has struggled to find his top form in this tournament with 10 wickets at 43.90 and an economy rate of 6.55. He has taken just five wickets in his last five games culminating with 1 for 70 from nine overs against Afghanistan, where Starc couldn't trouble the batters early and he was torn apart at the death in a ragged display. If Australia are to win a sixth title, Starc will have to rediscover his best and he has a golden opportunity to turn around his form against a Bangladesh batting order susceptible to left-arm pace.

Quick Taskin Ahmed finally bowled well in the World Cup after several ordinary outings. Even though he finished wicketless for the second straight match, his pace was up and his wobble seam delivery was on show against Sri Lanka. He bowled a strong opening spell, and then delivered tight bowling in the middle and at the end. He conceded just 39 runs in 10 overs to be clearly his team's most economical bowler. Taskin is known as the bowling pack leader, so it was important that he bounced back after indifferent performances.

Team Watch

Australia

With Maxwell not training on the eve of the match, there certainly remains a massive doubt about him backing up his record-breaking exploits on Saturday (November 11). Australia, who have stuck with their three main fast bowlers for eight straight matches, might be tempted to rest one or two to give Sean Abbott, who did have multiple chats with Andy Flower, his first game of the World Cup. Steve Smith, meanwhile, had a lengthy hit in the middle, showing no signs of his vertigo that kept him out against Afghanistan, and was even spotted heading out for some golf on Thursday, meaning that he will be back in the side.

Tactics & Strategy:

Despite their famous win at the Wankhede Stadium three days ago, Australia still look like a team who are about to peak rather than one who have already got there. Middle-order runs have been rather inconsistent and a bulk of the runs have come from either the top-order or from Maxwell. This will be a great chance for the likes of Smith, Labuschagne and Stoinis in particular to get amongst the runs and carry the confidence of a big score into the knockout phase. Maxwell's absence will also give Travis Head a chance to bowl a lengthier spell than he did against England and just keep himself ready in case he is called up on for the semi-final, and from an Australian perspective, the final as well.

Probable XI: David Warner, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (wk), Marcus Stoinis, Pat Cummins (c)/Cameron Green, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood/Sean Abbott

Bangladesh

The absence of Shakib Al Hasan is a big hole to fill for any Bangladesh team, and more so for one that has been highly inconsistent and really looked out of sorts for large parts of the tournament. Daniel Vettori spoke about how his team expected "both Mahedis" to play and that's the change you'd expect with all-rounder Mahedi Hasan replacing Shakib with Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim getting promoted one spot each in the batting order.

Tactics & Strategy:

A day game will allow Bangladesh's spinners to get into the game a lot more than they have surprisingly in the tournament so far. But any hopes of pushing Australia to any extent will come down to their top order getting amongst the runs to support Mahmudullah, who has stood tall for his country, as he often does at World Cups.

Probable XI: Tanzid Hasan, Litton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Towhid Hridoy, Mahedi Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Tanzim Hasan Shakib, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam

ODI Stats and Records at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium:

Total matches: 11

Matches won batting first: 6

Matches won bowling first: 5

Average 1st innings scores: 303

Average 2nd innings scores: 256

Highest total recorded: 357/4 (50 Ov) by South Africa vs New Zealand

Lowest total recorded: 167/10 (49.4 Ov) by New Zealand vs South Africa

Highest score chased: 356/7 (48.1 Ov) by India vs England

Lowest score defended: 283/9 (50 Ov) by West Indies vs India

AUS vs BAN overall Head-to-Head Record:

Matches Played 22

Australia Won 19

Bangladesh Won 1

N/R 1

Abandoned 1

First Played 30th April, 1990

Last played 20th June, 2019

HEAD TO HEAD LAST 5 MATCHES

Australia won by 48 runs 20-Jun-2019

No result 05-Jun-2017 

Match abandoned without a ball bowled 21-Feb-2015

Australia won by 66 runs 13-Apr-2011

Australia won by 9 wickets (with 144 balls remaining) 11-Apr-2011

Probable Best Batter:

David Warner (Australia)

Veteran Australian opener David Warner could be the batter in game 43 of the ODI World Cup 2023. Being in sensational form, Warner has been one of the highest run-getters for the side in the tournament. Scoring 555 runs in his last ten matches, Warner’s performance could be key against Bangladesh.

Probable best bowler:

Adam Zampa (Australia)

Australia’s Adam Zampa could be the best bowler in game 43 of the ODI World Cup 2023. With 21 wickets in his last nine matches, Zampa has been influential for the Men in Yellow, and his performance could prove to be crucial for the upcoming side.

Don't forget to submit your predictions for match 43.

Toss prediction before 10:00 AM IST and rest of the predictions before  10:30 AM IST.

All the very best to everyone!

Tag Credit: Sutapasima

Disclaimer: This is just a prediction, not a personal opinion.