Match Preview: Australia vs Bangladesh, ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 43rd Match

As the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 unfolds, the 43rd match brings a gripping face-off between Australia and Bangladesh. With Australia's stunning comeback led by Glenn Maxwell and Bangladesh fighting for a spot in the top eight, this match in Pune is more than a contest; it's a battle of resilience and strategy. As key players like Mitchell Starc and Taskin Ahmed gear up, we anticipate a showdown brimming with cricketing prowess and tactical play.

Venue Insights

The Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, renowned for its cricket pitch, offers conditions that are highly favourable for batters. The nature of the pitch allows batters to strategically place their shots and secure boundaries effectively. As the game progresses, the pitch characteristics evolve, offering spin bowlers an opportunity to capitalize and enhance their performance. This dynamic between bat and ball as the match advances adds a layer of tactical depth to the game.

Overall, the expectation is that matches at this venue will be closely contested, with both batsmen and bowlers having the opportunity to make significant impacts. The pitch's balanced nature contributes to an exciting cricketing encounter, where strategy and skill from both departments are crucial for success.

Form Guide: Australia

Australia's recent form in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 is marked by an impressive streak of victories (WWWWW in their last five completed matches), indicating a strong performance. However, this winning record masks some underlying issues. The team narrowly avoided a challenging situation against Bangladesh, thanks largely to Glenn Maxwell's extraordinary batting against Afghanistan, which propelled them into the semi-finals against South Africa. Despite these wins, Australia's overall form has been somewhat inconsistent, with a reliance on individual brilliance overshadowing a cohesive team effort.

Maxwell's performances have been particularly notable in this regard. As they move forward, Australia faces the challenge of finding the right balance in their team selection, with several players struggling for consistency. The upcoming match against Bangladesh is crucial for them to demonstrate a more complete team performance, especially considering Bangladesh's current status outside of semi-final contention.

Form Guide: Bangladesh

Bangladesh's form in the tournament started positively with a win against Afghanistan (WLLLL in their last five completed matches), but their performance has since declined, impacting their World Cup campaign. They are fighting to be among the top eight teams to qualify for the Champions Trophy, and an upset in their upcoming matches could significantly aid this ambition. However, their campaign is plagued with more than on-field issues.

Bangladesh is dealing with significant off-field challenges, including the departures of fast-bowling coach Allan Donald and computer analyst Shrinivas Chandrasekaran. Furthermore, the controversy involving Allan Donald's critique of captain Shakib Al Hasan over an incident in a previous match adds to the team's challenges. Despite these disruptions, Bangladesh aims to finish their World Cup campaign on a high note, hoping that the off-field turmoil will not impede their performance.

Players to Watch

Mitchell Starc
Mitchell Starc, the left-arm quick, stands among the top wicket-takers in World Cup history, trailing only behind legends Glenn McGrath and Muthiah Muralidaran. Despite his remarkable achievements in the 2015 and 2019 editions, Starc has faced challenges in the current tournament. With 10 wickets at an average of 43.90 and an economy rate of 6.55, his form has been less than ideal. Notably, in his last five games, Starc has managed only five wickets, with a particularly rough outing against Afghanistan where he secured 1 for 70 from nine overs.

During this match, his early bowling failed to trouble the batters, and he struggled in the final overs. As Australia aims for their sixth World Cup title, Starc’s ability to regain his best form is crucial. The upcoming match against Bangladesh, whose batting lineup is vulnerable to left-arm pace, presents an excellent opportunity for him to turn his performance around.

Taskin Ahmed
Taskin Ahmed, known for his quick pace, has shown significant improvement in the World Cup following a series of unremarkable performances. Despite not taking wickets in two consecutive matches, his overall bowling has been impressive. His recent performance against Sri Lanka was a testament to his skill, where he displayed increased pace and effective wobble seam deliveries.

Ahmed bowled a strong opening spell and maintained tight bowling throughout the middle and end of the innings, conceding only 39 runs in 10 overs, thereby emerging as the most economical bowler for his team. As the leader of Bangladesh's bowling pack, Ahmed’s recovery to form is vital for the team, especially after a period of indifferent performances. His role will be pivotal in the upcoming games, as Bangladesh seeks to enhance their position in the tournament.

Team Composition

Australia
Australia's team composition for the upcoming match is likely to see the return of Steven Smith, who missed the match against Afghanistan due to vertigo. Glenn Maxwell, after enduring severe cramps during his remarkable innings, is facing a fitness test. Their availability would present Australia with a fully fit squad for the first time in the tournament. The inclusion of Smith may lead to Marnus Labuschagne or Marcus Stoinis making way, depending on the balance the team management prefers.

Labuschagne, who shares a similar batting style with Smith, has been a consistent scorer, albeit with a sedate strike rate of 77. Stoinis, though he has had his struggles, brings the potential for big-hitting and all-round capabilities akin to Maxwell. Additionally, Sean Abbott could be considered for selection, especially if the team opts to rest one of their leading quick bowlers before the semi-final.

Bangladesh
Bangladesh will be without their captain, Shakib Al Hasan, due to a fractured left index finger. His absence could open the door for allrounder Mahedi Hasan or left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed to step in. Furthermore, Anamul Haque, who was brought in as Shakib's replacement in the squad, might replace opener Tanzid Hasan.

Tanzid has had a challenging tournament, with just one half-century from eight innings. These changes reflect Bangladesh's strategy to adapt and overcome key player absences, aiming to strengthen their lineup against a formidable Australian side.

Pitch and Weather Report

The pitch at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, known for its batting-friendly nature, has witnessed high-scoring encounters recently. This is evidenced by the substantial scores posted by South Africa and England, both exceeding 330 runs while batting first in their last two matches at this venue. However, it's important to note that seam bowlers have also found success on this surface, thanks to the bounce and carry it offers.

The weather forecast for the upcoming match day, Saturday, predicts warm and sunny conditions. The temperature is expected to reach a maximum of 32 degrees Celsius, creating an ideal setting for cricket. This combination of a favourable pitch and pleasant weather sets the stage for what could be another high-scoring game, with opportunities for both batsmen and seam bowlers to excel.

Predicted Line-ups

Australia: Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, Josh Inglis (wk), David Warner, Pat Cummins (capt), Steven Smith, Marcus Stoinis/Marnus Labuschagne, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Mitchell Starc.

Bangladesh: Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Litton Das, Taskin Ahmed, Towhid Hridoy, Shoriful Islam, Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Tanzid Hasan/Anamul Haque, Mustafizur Rahman, Nasum Ahmed/Mahedi Hasan, Mahmudullah.

Dream11 Prediction

Broadcast Details

The Australia vs Bangladesh ICC World Cup 2023 match will be broadcast live on various platforms. In India, viewers can watch it on Star Sports Network and Disney+ Hotstar. Australian audiences can tune in to Fox Sport and Kayo for live coverage, while in Bangladesh, the match will be aired on Gazi TV.

The match is scheduled to start at 10:30 AM (IST). For viewers in Australia, the timings are 1 PM AWST, 1:45 PM ACWST, 2:30 PM ACST, 3 PM AEST, 3:30 PM ACDT, and 4 PM AEDT. In Bangladesh, the match will begin at 11 AM (BST).

Conclusion

The match between Australia and Bangladesh culminates in a test of strategy and skill in the World Cup 2023. Australia, striving for consistency and fielding a possibly full-strength squad, faces Bangladesh, who are contending amidst off-field challenges. With crucial players missing and others stepping up, this encounter promises to be more than just a game, offering a spectacle of resilience, adaptability, and cricketing excellence to fans worldwide.

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