Australia’s second-biggest ever score at the Cricket World Cup has powered them past a gallant Bangladesh at Trent Bridge, all but locking up a semi-final spot.
Australia will need everything to go wrong, including losing all three of their remaining group games and having Bangladesh beat India to miss the semi-finals from this point.
On a slow and at times two-paced pitch in Nottingham, Aaron Finch won his first toss of the tournament and immediately elected to bat first. Not for the first time, it was he and David Warner who set the platform for the men in canary yellow.
The Aussies began their assault slowly and methodically, as they have done right throughout the tournament. While there was the odd big shot from Finch, they went to the first drinks break after 17 overs with one hundred on the board for no loss.
It was clear there was going to be runs in the pitch, with Bangladesh’s bowling attack struggling to penetrate with the new ball or to generate any spin at all.
Finch would be the first man out with the score on 121 in the 21st over on what was an absolute dolly dismissal, before Usman Khawaja took over. Khawaja batted with Warner all the way until the 36th over, at which point Australia found themselves on 212, with Warner having just gone past his century from 110 balls.
From there though, it was a mixture of big hitting and Bangladesh losing the radar. There was some woeful bowling, as Warner scored his final 66 runs from just 37 balls, rediscovering some of the aggressive touch he has been lacking throughout the tournament.
David Warner celebrates his century during Australia’s win over Pakistan. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)
Warner eventually fell for 166 from 147, but he and Khawaja had put on 192 for the second wicket, at which point Glenn Maxwell came to the crease.
He went crazy, scoring 32 off 9 balls before being run out on a flick to short fine leg. It was a dismal mix up between he and Khawaja, who to that point had refused to take risks batting, and it may well have cost Australia double figures worth of runs at the back end.
From there, Marcus Stoinis and Alex Carey both struggled to get going, before the players were brought from the field due to rain with an over to go. Carey and Stoinis scored 13 upon resumption though, taking Australia to 381.
In reply, Bangladesh wasted no time in getting off to a strong start, more or less matching Australia in the runs department all the way through to the 35th over.
The Tigers, like other teams, simply wanted to target every bowler whose name wasn’t Pat Cummins or Mitchell Starc, and it worked with varying levels of success.
They lost Soumya Sarkar (who had taken three wickets earlier), but by the end of the first powerplay, Shakib Al Hasan was starting to look good alongside Tamim Iqbal with 53 runs on the board.
Despite that, the duo would perish shortly afterwards, and there was still the feeling Australia were well ahead in the game thanks to the onslaught which saw them make 159 runs in the last 14 overs.
Mushfiqur Rahim worked hard to hold things together alongside Mahmudullah, with the duo giving the Tigers some late hope of doing the seemingly impossible, but some controlled bowling from Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Marcus Stoinis ensured they wouldn’t end up getting close, with the game realistically over well before the actual finish.
Australia now get set to take on England next Tuesday, while Bangladesh play a must-win game against Afghanistan on Monday.
Match summary
Australia: 5/381 (50) (David Warner 166, Usman Khawaja 89, Aaron Finch 53, Soumya Sarkar 3/58) defeat Bangladesh: 8/333 (50) (Mushfiqur Rahim 102, Mahmudullah 69, Tamim Iqbal 62, Marcus Stoinis 2/54, Mitchell Starc 2/55, Nathan Coulter-Nile 2/58) by 48 runs.
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Peter Warrington
Guest
gotta say that one that reared and got him on the thumb brought a tear to this fading quick's eyes. like the glory days of Steve Bernard jamming them against the handle. beautiful stuff!
Mitcher
Guest
On the money as always Chris.
Mitcher
Guest
If you don’t think Maxwell is already doing a job (despite not even cranking up the gears), the only logical conclusion is you’re lagging a little in your understanding of the game. This is can, and even just the other night, is doing things that maybe 2-3 other players in this tournament can do. Despite being run out, coming in and genuinely supercharging the total with 30ish off 10ish. The pressure that takes off the other batsmen is immeasurable. So I guess you’ll be waiting a long time if that escapes
Mitcher
Guest
Show us behind the curtain James... how hard is it to actually get it as wrong as you have?
Diamond Jackie
Roar Rookie
If Maxy is in that kind of touch and you are batting at the other end you need to react quickly and take that run.
Diamond Jackie
Roar Rookie
It was actually pretty selfish play by uzzie who hardly took a risk , no doubt trying to cement his spot in the side.
Diamond Jackie
Roar Rookie
Bit tough on maxy. Watto had ample chances opening the batting. Maxy has had relatively limited opportunities.
Diamond Jackie
Roar Rookie
Australia is really missing hazelwood.
Diamond Jackie
Roar Rookie
Kopa you are one hard task master!!
Ben
Guest
Be quiet old man, no one gives a damn what u sad miserable people think, and thank god. If people like you had your way Warner would be banned for life without any livelihood and spat on in the street.
Kopa Shamsu
Guest
https://media3.giphy.com/media/uqVVod4tbAgKI/giphy.gif
Kopa Shamsu
Guest
Is there any wrong with it?
Kopa Shamsu
Guest
Na, I didn't. Unfortunately my parents would never allow me to become professional cricketer even I had all the potential of Mitchell Marsh. And ya my brother (was cousin actually) still plays divisional cricket. If you are talking about surprise pace, that isn't really the problem. In a 180 million country you can easily find many who posses raw pace. Our diet isn't much difference with Pakistan who produced many good fast bowlers. The problem is physical stature & constantly maintaining that pace throughout. Most of the guys here aren't taller than 5'7 or 5'8. Pakistanis are almost all punhabis & pathans.There are several guys here who can bowl 140kph, even 145kph. But way to short . My personal view is whoever has got height should learn to nail Yorker to perfection. Btw I ain't sure how bowling 140kph+ results into "both dudded by the Bangladesh selectors". Where are you going with this? I am sure i can bowl 140k easily at least 1 delivery in an over. I have at least 2 counsin brothers who did it in pacer hunt. One of them play division cricket as i have mentioned. If pace was the case, tait would have been world's best fast bowler in his time. Navdeep saini would have been in Indian squad now. Rony, who is a designated medium pacer clocked 145kph. If you are suggesting that, with only raw pace you are good enough to get selected , then I gotta say your tag as "expert " is in serious question. Kidding :D
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Kopa you famously said on here once that both you and your brother had been clocked bowling at 140kmh+ in Bangladesh. Surely, then, you were both dudded by the Bangladesh selectors?
Parkside Darren
Roar Rookie
Maybe one day you’ll get the cracks in your glass fixed
Parkside Darren
Roar Rookie
Khawaja is a better performing one day player than Smith Smith tends to decelerate as innings goes on. People keep thinking about his test game. Khawaja played a perfect no.3 innings- until the Maxwell run out.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
He also seems contrite/humble in interviews such last night's post-game, and I don't think he's putting it on.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
We’re a strong cricket nation when our B team are amongst the best 4 sides at a WC
Jeff
Roar Rookie
To extend that logic further: - AUS was bowled out for 288 v WIN. WIN came within 15 runs of AUS. - BAN chased down WIN 320 inside 42 overs, 4 wkts down. - Since Jan 18, BAN v WIN - 10 matches: BAN 8, WIN 2. Therefore: AUS & WIN are on par. BAN is a class above WIN. Thus BAN are a better team than AUS. Maybe AUS were just lucky on the day? Agreed. Direct comparisons between teams may be fraught with danger.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Sorry, professional