Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey

CWC 2019 – Australia v Bangladesh: 5 key talking points. AUS vs BAN: 5 key talking points from their 2019 World Cup clash.

With Pakistan, South Africa and West Indies all underwhelming significantly, it was left to Bangladesh to try and weave some World Cup magic. Despite a fine batting effort, it wasn’t to be.

The ICC now faces another 17 group games with the top four all but set. They tweeted away with optimism during the World Cup Qualifying tournament last year after their detrimental 10-team decision, which has sides like Netherlands, Zimbabwe, Ireland and Scotland all keeping an eye from the outer.

It hasn’t turned out to be the close top four race that was hoped for.

In Trent Bridge, Australia prevailed. However, as has been the case all tournament, it was far from perfect, with key players stepping up to catapult Australia back into top spot in the standings. For Bangladesh, it was a case of what could have been, displaying poor execution in key stages of a crucial match. There was plenty to be encouraged about, which can give them hope of producing an excellent finish to their group campaign.

Below are five key talking points from a high-scoring match.

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1. Australia get things right with the bat

Four 300+ scores in a row suggests that Australia have had a pretty smooth time with the bat. However, it hasn’t always been the case.

David Warner is still coming in for some scrutiny despite a damaging 166, with ABC News in Australia claiming he is “struggling”. While Warner can go up another gear in the early and middle overs, he is certainly far from struggling, as he is giving Australia fine platforms to play off. He, Aaron Finch and Usman Khawaja took Australia to 250/1 in 40 overs, and it remained to be seen how they would finish the innings this time after 6/51 vs Pakistan and just 32 off the final five overs against Sri Lanka.

Here, they got it right. The bowling was disappointing from a Bangladesh perspective and Australia cashed in, smashing 132 in the final 10 overs to bat the Tigers out of the game. It could have been 400 given the way Glenn Maxwell was going, run out in his 10th ball for a score of 32 that could have been a whole lot more.

This was an encouraging performance from Australia, where they rely so heavily on the likes of Maxwell to propel Australia further after solid platforms.

2. Bangladesh’s achilles heel

Bangladesh’s biggest worry heading into this World Cup was their bowling. They have often lacked penetration outside of Asia, with the seamers unable to pick up wickets regularly. It was always going to be the difference between qualifying for the Semi Finals or missing out.

Here, they were both unable to pick up wickets and stem the flow of runs, putting together a fielding display that was of sharp contrast to their fine effort against West Indies. Worse, their death bowling was a major let down, landing a number of deliveries right in the slot to give the crowd catching practice.

Bangladesh have conceded 380+ twice in five games. There are another two instances of 300+. With the batting strong – but not quite powerful enough to hit 350, Bangladesh really needed more from their bowlers. 215 came in the final 20 overs, which proved to be mighty costly.

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3. Like London buses…

As the saying goes, a London bus doesn’t come around for ages, but when it does, two others come with it at the same time.

Similar applies to Bangladesh batsmen in World Cups, but to a bit of greater extent. Before their landmark win against England in the 2015 edition, no Bangladesh batsman had hit a century in World Cups. There have now been five centuries in the last eight World Cup matches for the Tigers, displaying greater maturity and appetite for the longer innings.

Mahmudullah became the first that day, then following it up with another next game against New Zealand. Shakib Al Hasan did the same with his own consecutive centuries in this edition, which preceded Mushfiqur Rahim’s beautiful knock in this game. If Bangladesh’s batting fires the way it has been, they can most certainly beat Afghanistan, rendering the game against India most crucial if they are to keep their slim Semi Final hopes alive.

4. The big difference

Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins have taken 26 wickets combined. They have come at 22 apiece, with an economy rate of a little over five.

Compare that with the rest of Australia’s bowlers in CWC 2019. Only 22 wickets have been taken at an average upward of 48, with an economy rate touching 6.50. They look a little toothless at times. If Australia are to go far in this campaign, they need greater output from the rest of the attack. Is a change of personnel required or can the likes of Nathan Coulter-Nile and Adam Zampa step up to the plate?

5. Adam Zampa or Nathan Lyon?

Adam Zampa’s form pre-CWC 2019 was very promising. Fans could believe that the confidence he built could serve Australia very well in the tournament, thanks to his variations and wicket-taking ability.

However, this tournament has been difficult for Zampa. Too many loose balls has Aaron Finch hesitant to use him at times, on show against India where Glenn Maxwell bowled more overs. Here, Zampa was brought back, and while he had some good moments, it remains to be seen whether Australia look to bring Nathan Lyon in to try stem the flow of runs a little more in the middle overs.

This is a big test of Australia’s mindset. Do they persist with Zampa knowing that he can get you wickets? Or is Lyon, who can go at under a run-a-ball with less wicket-taking potential the option they’re after?

With the Semi Finals just about locked up, Australia can look to give a few different combinations a try if they so wish in any of their remaining three group games.

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