Has there been another team in this World Cup who have looked more in control of their campaign than Australia? Yes, there were a couple of nervy moments against Oman in the opening game and when the Scots had them under a bit of pressure. But Australia have so far had a pretty smooth run, with many picking them out as being favourites already.
Save Glenn Maxwell’s mixed returns with the bat, their batters have been on fire, with Travis Head and Marcus Stoinis having set the tournament alight. Their bowling attack, meanwhile, has adjusted the best to the vagaries of the conditions in the Caribbean.
And historically, Bangladesh have not been a team that have bothered the Aussies to a great extent in World Cups, even if they have been a thorn in bilateral T20Is, especially on home soil. Nor do they look like a team who are set to do so this time around. Bangladesh have after all got to the Super 8s having looked decent without being threatening out of a group where Sri Lanka started poorly and where Nepal showed signs of upsetting the apple-cart without being able to get over the line.
When: Australia vs Bangladesh, June 20, 08.30 PM Local, 06.00 am IST (June 21), 10.30 am (June 21) AEST
Where: Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua
What to expect: The humidity levels in Antigua have dropped quite a bit in the week. And the conditions should be rather favourable for both teams. The pitch itself, like the one in St Lucia, has come as close to being a true surface as any in the Caribbean, as we saw in the game between South Africa and the USA. Expect a loud atmosphere with a number of Bangladeshi fans having made the trip, and a lot of other South Asian expats from North America also in town, even if their teams aren’t. The game yesterday seemed to be decided on the basis of South Africa being able to counter the crosswinds and use it to their advantage the best. Bangladesh will need more than just good cricket skills to get past or even threaten Australia in Antigua.
Head-to-Head in T20 World Cups: Played 10, Australia 6-4 Bangladesh
Team Watch:
Australia:While Australia have already started concerning themselves with playing an extra spinner for the second Super 8s game in St Vincent, expect them to stick with a full and familiar pace attack for this game.
Tactics anad match-ups: Shakib Al Hasan’s returns against spin have been poorer as compared to his returns against pace in this World Cup. That coupled with an unfavourable match-up against the in-form Adam Zampa who has dismissed him thrice in 30 balls offers an interesting one-on-one battle should it come to it.
Probable XI:Travis Head, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh (c), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Matthew Wade (wk), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
Bangladesh:It’s so far been the bowling that has held Bangladesh in decent stead so far in the tournament. But they have been the slowest scoring team in the tournament and have really struggled to get anywhere with the bat. The conditions here should suit their batters a lot more. But it’ll come down eventually to whether they’re able to not let the Australian bowlers dominate them in the early going and find a way to drag the game longer.
Tactics and match-ups: Glenn Maxwell’s poor returns against spin that started in the IPL has continued in the T20 World Cup so far. He’s been dismissed twice already in 13 balls faced against spin. This could tempt Bangladesh to unleash their spin-heavy attack against a batter who has otherwise made a name for himself to be destructive against this type of bowling with his innovative shot-making.
Probable XI:Tanzid Hasan, Litton Das (wk), Najmul Shanto (c), Shakib Al Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Jaker Ali, Tanzim Shakib, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman
Did you know?
– Travis Head has been one of the more explosive openers in the World Cup so far striking at 160 in the Powerplay
– Taskiin Ahmed has 35 wickets at a strike-rate of 12.6 in T20Is since the 2022 T20 World CupPreview
