World Cup catch controversy erupts as Australia thump Bangladesh

Australia cruised to a record World Cup victory, but it could have even more brutal after questions erupted over one of the dismissals.

Australia have completed their highest ever run chase in a World Cup, demolishing Bangladesh in an eight-wicket thrashing on Saturday night.

However, it could have been even better after controversy erupted over David Warner’s dismissal, when Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto appeared to have lost control of the ball.

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It didn’t stop Australia though, as Steve Smith completed the win with a four to bring up the comprehensive victory with 32 balls still remaining.

Chasing Bangladesh’s 8/306, Australia hardly got out of second gear in the chase with partnerships of 120 between Mitch Marsh and David Warner (53), followed by an unbroken stand of 175 between Marsh and Steve Smith (63 not out) guiding the side to victory.

But the hero of the day was Marsh who, following Glenn Maxwell’s historic 201 against Afghanistan on Tuesday night, hit 177 not out in what is the sixth highest score by an Australian in ODI cricket history.

Marsh’s 132-ball innings saw him muscle 17 fours and nine sixes to blow Bangladesh off the park.

The only issue Australia faced in their chase was the loss of Warner, whose dismissal had question marks from former Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting.

After chipping a shot to Shanto, the catch raised a big question for Ricky Ponting as he went to throw it up and caught the ball on his leg, spilling the ball onto the ground.

It’s similar to a catch that was disallowed for Ben Stokes during the Ashes.

The issue at the time reignited a Spirit of Cricket conversation.

Should this have been out? Photo: Fox Sports

The difference was that Shanto had his feet planted on the ground, while Stokes had been on one foot after jumping and lost it as he landed.

It was called a “Herschelle Gibbs re-enactment” by Shane Watson after the 1999 dropped catch of the South African on Steve Waugh, where the Australian captain reportedly quipped: “You’ve just dropped the World Cup”.

Immediately after the catch was taken, Ponting said: “Actually, we might have a look at this. Warner’s turned his back and walked away.

“It was chipped straight to mid-on and the fielder’s taken in but in the act of throwing the ball in the air, it has come out of his hands. Will this be counted as a completed catch or not?”

But it wasn’t looked at and Warner was out for 53, as Australia were 2/132.

Ponting still wasn’t convinced and said Warner was “completely oblivious”, questioning whether Shanto was “in complete control of his movements”.

It sparked plenty of debate on social media.

Why it is not a drop catch? he didn't throw it up properly.#AUSvsBAN#CWC23#Warner#ShakibAlHasan#PAKvsENG#QudratKaNizam#MaxwellMagic

— Johny Bava (@johnybava) November 11, 2023

Why did Warner walk? That’s not out #AUSvBAN

— Micky V 🐯 (@1micky_v) November 11, 2023

Warner walked. If he asked for the umpire to check the catch, he would still be out there.

— Ben (@superhero_ben) November 11, 2023

Warner was not out. That was not a valid catch.

— Kshitij Ojha (@Kshitij070) November 11, 2023

It's out because it was caught. Controlled. The celebration cake after the control. Warner knew it and he went. A catch is a catch.

— Jonesy Cash (@JonesyBeeGood) November 11, 2023

repeat of Herschelle Gibbs catch.#AUSvBAN#BANvAUS#ENGvPAK#PAKvENG#PAKvsENG#CWC2023#CWC23#Loki    #TheMarvels    #fcklive#AFGvSA#ENGvsPAK#BabarAzam#PakistanCricketTeampic.twitter.com/6aowfQAVHA

— Fourth Umpire (@UmpireFourth) November 11, 2023

The result ultimately didn’t matter as Australia would have played South Africa on Thursday regardless of the result, while Bangladesh were only playing for a place in the 2025 Champions Trophy.

But it does mean that Australia are heading into the finals continuing a strong vein of form, having won the last seven games after losing the opening two matches of the series.

What an innings from the Bison! Photo by Punit PARANJPE / AFP

Marsh, who returned to Australia after the death of his grandfather, paid tribute to his late patriarch.

“I’m sure my Nanna and Mum and all the family will be watching at home, so hopefully it’s put a smile on their face,” Marsh said after the victory.

“My pop was a great man and they celebrated his life yesterday afternoon. I’m sure they probably had a few beers too so it was nice to be able to perform for the family. Just good to get the win.”

When asked about bowling four overs earlier in the day, Marsh joked: “It’s not every day you get man of the match after going 0/50 off four overs. I started minus-50 and had to get a few back. It’s always nice to bowl, I love bowling, it didn’t go to plan today but I love getting stuck in with (Marcus Stoinis) and all the all-rounders.”

To be fair on him, Marsh only went for 0/48 off his four overs.

Marsh said Australia were “bloody pumped” to have made the semi-finals and were ready to take on the Proteas to avenge their 134-run loss at the beginning of the tournament.

Bangladesh had started the game well, racing to 0/62 off the opening 10 overs as Australia’s issues taking wickets in the powerplay continued.

But the match turned on Marnus Labuschagne’s fielding with the Queenslander taking two catches as well as two run outs in a great day in the first, taking wickets just as Bangladesh looked to get away.

The run out of Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto for 45 and Mahmudullah for 32 turned the game on its head, breaking up threatening partnerships for Australia and ensuring Bangladesh didn’t have any set batters for the final 10 overs.

Australia then got to work with the bat and despite the early loss of Travis Head, batted beautifully to head into Thursday’s final on fire.

10.22pm – Well done Bison!

Mitchell Marsh has brought up his second hundred of the World Cup, bringing up the milestone off 87 balls.

After five dot balls, Marsh finally got the ball through the field, completing his third ODI ton, having scored 121 earlier in the tournament against Pakistan.

Marsh clubbed 11 fours and four sixes in another brilliant knock to put Australia in the box seat to pull off the 307-run chase.

After 31 overs, Australia are 2/192.

9.49pm – Warner gone in ‘Herschelle Gibbs re-enactment’

David Warner has been caught after chipping a shot to Najmul Hossain Shanto as Bangladesh finally struck.

Warner had cruised to 53 off 61 in a 120-run stand with Mitch Marsh, when he leaned on a ball from Mustafizur Rahman, hitting it straight to the Bangladesh captain.

But while the catch looked pretty straightforward, Shanto raised Ricky Ponting’s eyebrows when he went to throw it up and caught the ball on his leg, spilling the ball onto the ground.

It’s similar to a catch that was disallowed during the Ashes when Ben Stokes did similar.

The issue at the time reignited a Spirit of Cricket conversation.

The difference was that Shanto had his feet planted on the ground, while Stokes had been jumping and lost it as he landed and had just one foot on the ground.

It was called a “Hershelle Gibbs re-enactment” by Shane Watson after the 1999 dropped catch of the South African on Steve Waugh, where the Australian captain reportedly quipped: “You’ve just dropped the World Cup”.

Should this have been out? Photo: Fox Sports

Warner was oblivious. Photo: Fox Sports

Immediately after the catch was taken, Ponting said: “Actually, we might have a look at this. Warner’s turned his back and walked away.

“It was chipped straight to mid-on and the fielder’s taken in but in the act of throwing the ball in the air, it has come out of his hands. Will this be counted as a completed catch or not?”

But it wasn’t looked at and Warner was out for 53, as Australia were 2/132.

Ponting still wasn’t convinced and said Warner was “completely oblivious”, questioning whether Shanto was “in complete control of his movements”.

Why it is not a drop catch? he didn't throw it up properly.#AUSvsBAN#CWC23#Warner#ShakibAlHasan#PAKvsENG#QudratKaNizam#MaxwellMagic

— Johny Bava (@johnybava) November 11, 2023

Why did Warner walk? That’s not out #AUSvBAN

— Micky V 🐯 (@1micky_v) November 11, 2023

Warner walked. If he asked for the umpire to check the catch, he would still be out there.

— Ben (@superhero_ben) November 11, 2023

Warner was not out. That was not a valid catch.

— Kshitij Ojha (@Kshitij070) November 11, 2023

It's out because it was caught. Controlled. The celebration cake after the control. Warner knew it and he went. A catch is a catch.

— Jonesy Cash (@JonesyBeeGood) November 11, 2023

repeat of Herschelle Gibbs catch.#AUSvBAN#BANvAUS#ENGvPAK#PAKvENG#PAKvsENG#CWC2023#CWC23#Loki    #TheMarvels    #fcklive#AFGvSA#ENGvsPAK#BabarAzam#PakistanCricketTeampic.twitter.com/6aowfQAVHA

— Fourth Umpire (@UmpireFourth) November 11, 2023

9.15pm – Marsh hits 50

After the early loss of Travis Head, David Warner and Mitch Marsh have taken off.

Marsh has won the race to 50, getting to the mark off 36-balls, while David Warner is also nearing the milestone on 38 off 41 balls as the pair bring up the 1/100 off 15 overs.

8.26pm – Not the start Australian needed

Travis Head may have hit a ton in his first innings in the World Cup but it’s been fairly lean since.

The Aussie opener was again dismissed early going for the big shot, with Taskin Ahmed bowling Head.

It’s proving to be a bit tougher than it seemed for Bangladesh with Australia moving to 1/12 off three overs.

Head had been the aggressor, hitting two fours in his 11-ball 10, but coming unstuck swinging for the fences.

7.47pm – Australia chasing 307

Australia has restricted Bangladesh to 8/306 after some tight overs at the end.

In the last four, three of the overs went for less than 10, while only Marcus Stoinis’ 11 in the penultimate over got away.

Three runs and two wickets in the final over restricted Bangladesh to just over 300, when they at times appeared headed for an enormous score — even though it was Bangladesh’s biggest score at the World Cup.

But it largely came down to Marnus Labuschagne why the score wasn’t worse.

The Queenslander had two catches as well as two run outs in a great day in the first, taking wickets just as Bangladesh looked to get away.

Former Aussie skipper Kerry O’Keeffe told Fox Sports that he believes Bangladesh are ahead in the match, having three frontline spinners in their attack.

The result ultimately doesn’t matter with Australia to play South Africa in Kolkata on Thursday night, while Bangladesh will be heading home.

Bangladesh cashed in on all-rounders Marcus Stoinis (1/45 off five overs) and Mitch Marsh (0/48 off four overs), but Adam Zampa’s (2/32 from 10 overs) again showed why he’s on top of the wicket-takers at the World Cup with 22.

Zampa needs one more wicket to match Muttiah Muralitharan as the most prolific wicket-taking spinner at a World Cup, while if he can get six wickets across the semi-final and final, he could go past Mitchell Starc’s all-time record of 27, set at the 2019 World Cup.

6.41pm – Marnus, you beautiful man!

Marnus Labuschagne has his second run out of the day, finding Mahmudullah short of his ground for a 28-ball 32.

The Bangladeshi star had hit a four and three sixes and looked arguably the most threatening batter so far.

But after a ball was dropped short, Labuschagne was all over it with the direct hit making it 4/214.

Marnus has been superb in the field. Photo: Fox Sports

Right before Bangladesh start swinging, it’s an important strike from Marnus.

It was Labuschagne’s third run out of the tournament — and he has five all-time for Australia.

Matthew Hayden said, after comparing Labuschagne’s efforts to the likes of Hershelle Gibbs, Jonty Rhodes and Ricky Ponting, that it was worth plenty for Australia.

“Run outs — they put a full stop to the run rate,” Hayden said.

“Two run outs already — how many runs does equate to? As a two-dimensional cricketer, if you’re getting run outs, you can probably add 10-15 runs on to your individual total as a batsman.”

Marnus Labuschagne has established himself as arguably the most dangerous fielder in the world in terms of simply can’t take a risk with your running when he’s on the ball #CWC23

— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) November 11, 2023

Marnus with the golden arm in the field. Amazing what happens when you live fielding and stay up and about.

— Joel Clarke (@jc_thebomb) November 11, 2023

As if Marnus isn’t in our best team.

He plays 100%

— Bread Bags (@BreadBagsMcChav) November 11, 2023

6.30pm – Ponting stat sends shivers through Australia

Australia will play South Africa at Eden Gardens, Kolkata in the second semi-final on Thursday and Bangladesh will head home, regardless what happens in this game.

But former Aussie captain Ricky Ponting has revealed an issue that could spell disaster for Australia in the knockout clash.

Australia has won six straight after losing earlier in the tournament to India and South Africa, the teams they’ll likely have to beat to win the World Cup.

But despite hitting their straps at the right end of the tournament, Australia still has one big issue — not striking early in the innings.

While South Africa have taken 21 wickets in the first powerplay, India have 18, Australia are right back third last on the table, ahead of only Pakistan and Bangladesh.

“Australia’s lack of wicket-taking ability in the powerplay — they have only taken 11 wickets in the tournament in the powerplay which is third-last on the table,” Ponting said.

“So, that’s going to be a worry for them.

“I think there’s a few worries with their batting. Their middle order batting hasn’t

clinked so far either in the tournament.”

In the first powerplay, Bangladesh were 0/62, their second best powerplay of the World Cup.

5.59pm – Shanto run out

Australia has claimed another one just as Bangladesh looked to get away with Marnus Labuschagne pulling off a great run out just the accelerator looked to be pressed.

Najmul Hossain Shanto has been dismissed for 45 off 57 as he ran for a tight too.

But it was too tight as Labuschagne did the hard yards.

The Queensland sprinted after a ball bunted into the ground and an accurate throw left Shanto well short in what was called “unnecessary” and “poor running” by Simon Doull.

It’s 3/170.

Marnus’ latest act of fielding brilliance saw him called: “The best in the business (in the field) for Australia in this tournament”.

Marnus Labuschagne has done it again. Photo: Fox Sports

Matthew Hayden called the effort: “Superb”, adding: “You cannot give enough credit to fielding efforts in a World Cups — they just matter. They’re like net run rate, they creep up on you and they always matter in the end.”

One of Australia’s greatest ever fielders Ricky Ponting said it was a “terrific piece of fielding”.

5.21pm – Another one bites the dust

Bangladesh are off to a flyer but have as yet to really streak away from Australia.

Liton Das was out to “a disappointing shot”, looking to smash his way down the field but hitting it straight down the throat of Marnus Labuschagne on the mid-on boundary.

It’s seen both openers dismissed for 36, with Das taking up 45.

It’s also the 21st wicket of the tournament for Adam Zampa and leaves Bangladesh 2/106 as Australia get the run rate back to six an over.

4.55pm – Sean Abbott strikes first

Sean Abbott was brought into the team and had endured a horror start after giving up 21 runs in his first two overs.

But in his third over he claimed the much-needed first wicket for the Aussies.

A rising delivery caught Tanzid Hasan off guard as the ball slammed into the shoulder of his bat and went high into the air where Abbott made up the ground and comfortably hauled it in.

The wicket snaps a 76-run opening partnership.

4.40pm – Bangladesh with a solid start

The Aussie bowlers haven’t had any luck to start the innings with Bangladesh’s openers ticking the scoreboard over.

Tanzid Hasan and Liton Das have come out aggressive and brought up their fifty-run partnership after 8.1 overs.

3.40pm – Aussies win toss and elect to bowl

The Aussies have made two changes ahead of their final group stage clash with skipper Pat Cummins winning the toss and choosing to bowl first.

Steve Smith and Sean Abbott come into the XI with Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Starc the two men to make way.

2.30pm – Worrying Maxwell development strikes Aussies

Australia may have locked up a semi-final berth but it was thanks to the heroics of Glenn Maxwell.

Against Afghanistan the Aussies found themselves at 7/91 before Maxwell took over, but the absurd display appears to have come at a heavy cost.

Heading into their final group stage contest the Aussies look set to be without their saviour as he continues to battle the effects of cramps that almost ruined his historic knock of 201 not out.

Maxwell’s body was giving up on him. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

“He’s definitely been in full recovery mode the last few days. I think we all saw the effects of the innings and in particular the heat,” Aussie coach Daniel Vettori told reporters in India.

“Today’s a big day to see how he pulls up. We’ll just see how he feels as the day continues on but it’s obviously been pretty hectic for him the last few days.

“It’ll be how he feels – I don’t think it’ll be a fitness-test scenario. We understand that obviously now that the semi-final is pretty definitive in Kolkata that it will be a build towards that. He does have a track record of being able to bounce back pretty quickly, even with some time away from the game.”

With a semi-final contest against South Africa locked in the Aussies could be set to make some key changes in order to give several stars a rest.

Steve Smith is set to return after missing the contest against Afghanistan while Sean Abbott could earn a spot in the XI with a fast bowler expected to be rested.