Australia vs Bangladesh: Cricket World Cup live scores, blog

Australia will look to produce something approaching their best cricket when that take on an in-form and dangerous Bangladesh side at Trent Bridge. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:30pm (AEST).

While the Aussies are virtually unbackable favourites to take another victory and all but confirm their place in the semi-finals, this is a genuine danger game.

Bangladesh have been strong throughout the World Cup, and while they now have expectation on them – something they have struggled with at times – the situation of this game should suit them down to the ground.

Trent Bridge has already had a lot of cricket played on it throughout the tournament, and so should take spin, which is where their fearsome duo of Mehidy Hassan and Shakib Al Hasan come into play.

The duo have been strong with the ball, but add to that a ruthless batting line-up who mowed down 322 in 42 overs against the West Indies last time out, and you have a combination which should have the Aussies a little nervous.

Now, that’s not to say the Aussie attack is as poor as the West Indies one, but they have been up against it at times, and unless they get early wickets, teams have been really going after Nathan Coulter-Nile, Kane Richardson and Jason Behrendorff, or Adam Zampa and Glenn Maxwell, depending on which combination they have played with.

Add to that the struggles of Australia to construct a strong ODI innings, and things have really been a little flat. David Warner’s form continues to raise eyebrows, while the middle order essentially must have Glenn Maxwell go off to keep the scoring up.

They should however, have Marcus Stoinis back tonight, which is a positive if he can make a start to his innings – but given he is an incredibly slow starter and the bowling wasn’t quite up to scratch, it could also be seen as a detriment to the Aussies.

Nonetheless, they have the advantage of Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, who bowl pace not often seen by the Tigers top order, and that, along with the hitting of Aaron Finch and control of Steve Smith, should prove the difference here.

Prediction
The Aussies should win, but I doubt this will be without some pretty serious struggle against a Bangladesh side who are really punching above their weight.

Australia.

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Game information

First ball: 7:30pm (AEST)
Venue: Trent Bridge, Nottingham
TV: Live, Fox Cricket 501, 9Gem
Online: Live, Foxtel App, Foxtel Now, Kayo Sports, 9Now
Betting: Australia $1.14, Bangladesh $5.50
Overall record: Played 20, Australia 18, Bangladesh 1, No result 1
Umpires: Richard Kettleborough, Ian Gough

Squads

Australia
Aaron Finch (c), Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa

Bangladesh
Mashrafe Mortaza (c), Shakib Al Hasan (vc), Liton Das, Mehidy Hasan, Mosaddek Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Tamim Iqbal, Abu Jayed, Mahmudullah, Mohammad Mithun, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mustafizur Rahman, Sabbir Rahman, Mohammad Saifuddin, Soumya Sarkar