Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey
CWC 2019 Match 26: Australia v Bangladesh Preview Dream11. AUS vs BAN Dream11 Prediction
Well, what do you know? The 10-team World Cup, introduced to increase competitiveness and reduce meaningless games, has a top four race that is on life support.
Bangladesh have a crucial role to play in breathing life to a World Cup that is gasping for air. The Tigers need to beat at least one of Australia and India, as well as both Afghanistan and Pakistan, if they are to have a chance of making the Semi Finals. With superb wins over South Africa and West Indies, led by the brilliant Shakib Al Hasan, Australia must certainly be wary of the side of whom they cancelled a home series against last year citing ‘financial non-viability’.
Aaron Finch’s Australia can all but secure a spot in the Semi Finals with a win here. They have not been at their best, though, falling further behind India and England in the World Cup winner conversation. So, a big performance to help gain momentum will be of importance, which includes striking the right team balance – a topic of conversation right throughout their campaign to date.
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Key to an Australia win
Bangladesh’s batting, led by Shakib Al Hasan, has been a key feature of their promising campaign. So, what will Australia do differently to Bangladesh’s previous opponents in CWC 2019? Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, both up top and at the death, remain crucial to Australia’s chances. However, the third and fourth bowler conundrum, coupled with the need for more control from the all-rounders are areas for Australia rectify. Today is a chance for the likes of Nathan Coulter-Nile to make more of a mark with the ball, and as the Bangladesh-West Indies game showed, a change of pace through spin can be crucial to avoid predictability. The short-ball tactic by the Windies was blunted by Bangladesh, but the longer square boundaries at Trent Bridge is an opportunity for Australia to exploit, coupled with excellent use of the fuller ball.
Also, apart from a few shaky moments, Australia’s batting from overs 1-40 has been impressive so far in CWC 2019. The form of Aaron Finch has added another dimension to Australia’s batting, getting his side off to good starts more often than not, setting a platform for the middle order to build off. However, David Warner’s search for his best form continues despite his runs. If he is at his blistering best, it takes pressure off the likes of Steve Smith in accumulating runs. With Marcus Stoinis set to return, Australia can look to play just one of Shaun Marsh or Usman Khawaja, setting a strong platform for Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell to finish a lot better than Australia have in recent games.
Key to a Bangladesh win
A huge opportunity presents Bangladesh. However, with opportunity comes challenge, with the bowlers tasked with keeping Australia’s batting lineup in check. A key question is whether Bangladesh can break the Finch-Warner stand early, turning this into a good first powerplay that forces an Australia rebuild. Plenty depends on Maxwell and Stoinis to finish strongly for Australia, so the aim for Bangladesh will be to have these two in as early as possible. Marcus Stoinis struggles against spin early. Maxwell against seam. Bangladesh have the resources to attack from both ends at this point, but can they get the better of Australia’s top four first? Can the seamers withstand the Aussie onslaught early? What impact can Shakib and Mehidy have with the ball?
Also, Bangladesh were scintillating with the bat against West Indies. The chase of 322, equal second highest with their own against Scotland in 2015, was child’s play, cantering to the target with 51 balls to spare. Their planned attack against the short ball rendered the Windies helpless, smashing 177 runs off 112 short-of-a-length deliveries.
However, Taunton’s small boundaries played into Bangladesh’s hands. The longer square boundaries at Trent Bridge accounted for Chris Gayle and Andre Russell against England, so Bangladesh need to guard against looking for the big hits out to the square boundaries. Indeed, the follow up deliveries will be just as important, testing the sharpness of their footwork, of which Tamim, Shakib and Liton were very adept at last time out. Can Bangladesh’s top six all contribute strongly to the cause against an Aussie attack looking to put in a cohesive display?
Pitch and conditions
There is a chance of some scattered showers in Trent Bridge, but it doesn’t look like it will impact this match too much. The pitch has generally been good for batting at Trent Bridge, and it should remain the case. However, with the amount of games played at Trent Bridge as well as the rain in recent times, there could be some turn on offer.
Possible Playing 11
Marcus Stoinis is set to return for Australia, giving them key batting and bowling cover. However, his form before injury was scratchy, so he has to step up. Also, Australia need to play a specialist spinner. With the key left-handers in the Bangladesh lineup, Nathan Lyon could be picked. The final spot in the team will then be between Shaun Marsh and Usman Khawaja.
Australia: 1. Aaron Finch (c), 2. David Warner, 3. Steve Smith, 4. Shaun Marsh/Usman Khawaja, 5. Glenn Maxwell, 6. Marcus Stoinis, 7. Alex Carey (wk), 8. Nathan Coulter-Nile, 9. Pat Cummins, 10. Mitchell Starc, 11. Nathan Lyon
Barring injuries, Bangladesh have no reason to change their lineup after Liton Das played an absolute blinder with Shakib in their win vs West Indies. A key question is whether Soumya Sarkar can convert the promising starts he has made.
Bangladesh: 1. Tamim Iqbal, 2. Soumya Sarkar, 3. Shakib Al Hasan, 4. Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 5. Liton Das, 6. Mahmudullah, 7. Mossadek Hossain, 8. Mohammad Shaifuddin, 9. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 10. Mashrafe Mortaza (c), 11. Mustafizur Rahman
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Dream11 Prediction
Option 1:
Option 2:
Stats and Facts
- Australia have won both completed matches against Bangladesh in World Cups (1999 and 2007). Their 2015 meeting was washed out.
- Shakib Al Hasan is in career-best form. He has bagged a 50+ score with 2+ wickets in the same game on 23 occasions in ODIs, level with all-time great Jacques Kallis. Also, he has scored 100+ with 2+ wickets in the same game on five occasions, level with Chris Gayle as players who have done this the most.
- Bangladesh enjoyed one of their greatest ever moments in the UK, beating Australia in a 2005 classic.
- Australia will leapfrog England and New Zealand to go back to the top of the CWC 2019 standings if they win.
Match Prediction
If Australia aren’t focused, they will lose this match. Simple.
Bangladesh are far from the pushovers they once were – a factor that Australia must keep in their minds heading into this game. Indeed, there is plenty at stake, and Australia will surely be focused enough to effectively seal a top four spot.
Australia’s bowling attack has an edge, which can prove crucial here. Australia to win, but this could be a very interesting match.
Also read: Be sure to check out my “key talking points” after each CWC 2019 game! The latest:
England v Afghanistan: Electric Eoin gives Rashid a day he Khan forget
Bangladesh v West Indies: Super Shakib and brilliant Liton hammer Windies
India vs Pakistan: India too good for hapless Pakistan
Download: Making cricket an interactive experience! Discover Harrison Cricket Apps ODI version. For full screenshots, click here.
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