Cricket World Cup: Australia defeats Bangladesh by eight wickets in final group match
Thanks to a blistering innings from Mitch Marsh, Australia has cruised to victory in its final World Cup group match – and broken its own record along the way.
Back in India for less than a week since the death of his grandfather, Mitch Marsh plundered Bangladesh as Australia ensured it hit the World Cup semi-finals riding a seven-match winning streak.
In coasting to an eight-wicket victory in Pune on Saturday – Australia passed the Tigers’ 8-306 with 32 balls to spare – the Aussies broke what was not even a four-day old record with their highest successful run chase at a World Cup.
The loss was not catastrophic for Bangladesh though, who retained enough of a net run rate buffer on Sri Lanka and the Netherlands, meaning the Tigers will qualify for the Champions Trophy unless the Dutch topple unbeaten India in the final league match on Sunday.
This Australian win was nowhere near as dramatic as Tuesday night’s heist against Afghanistan in Mumbai. With the Aussies already locked in for a semi-final date with South Africa, Marsh made light work of the Bangladeshi attack to join David Warner and Glenn Maxwell in making multiple centuries at this tournament.
The century, brought up off 87 balls, was his third in one-day internationals and first batting at No. 3, having made a hundred against Pakistan earlier in the tournament in the absence of Travis Head.
The flagging Bangladesh attack was no match for Marsh’s effortless power, with the West Australian punishing pace and spin alike en route to 177 not out from 132 balls.
He was restrained in celebrating the century, with no obvious reference to his late grandfather Ross, who died just over a week ago. Marsh briefly left Australia’s touring party to return to Perth to be with family in his grandfather’s final days.
Marsh arrived in the middle inside three overs when Head chopped onto Taskin Ahmed for 10.
Playing the role of pseudo-opener to which he is so well suited, Marsh combined with Warner (53) to put on 120 for the second wicket before Warner gifted a simple chance to mid-on from Mustafizur Rahman.
It mattered little in the grand scheme though, as Steve Smith – back from his vertigo battle – rode shotgun to make his 32nd ODI half-century.
Adam Zampa had earlier shot back to the top of the World Cup wickets tally while Marnus Labuschagne wowed in the field.
Zampa capped an exceptional league stage with figures of 2-32 from 10 overs, removing Litton Das and Mushfiqur Rahim. The latter scalp was Zampa’s 22nd for the tournament, edging the leg-spinner past Sri Lanka’s Dilshan Madushanka.
It also meant Zampa bettered Brad Hogg’s mark of 21 wickets at the 2007 World Cup, which had been a record for an Australian spinner.
With Maxwell sitting out after his draining epic, Labuschagne retained his spot for a 17th straight one-day international since initially being bypassed for the 18-man extended World Cup squad.
Energetic as ever, Labuschagne made his presence felt in the field, racing in to set up a wicketkeeper’s run out as Najmul Hossain Shanto was caught short looking for a second on 45, before bettering that effort by charging from cover to run out Mahmudullah for 32 with a diving one-handed direct hit.
In what was effectively a dead rubber, Australia rested Maxwell and Mitchell Starc, handing Sean Abbott his first World Cup appearance against a Bangladesh side missing star Shakib Al Hasan through injury.
RECAP THE ACTION AS IT HAPPENED
10.55PM: AUSSIES CRUISING TO SEVENTH STRAIGHT WIN
Another 100-run partnership, this time between Mitch Marsh and Steve Smith, has the Aussies headed towards another victory.
Marsh is dealing with an injury concern but is still finding boundaries with ease, while Smith is making some much needed runs after a below par World Cup so far by his standards.
Australia need 67 runs from 78 balls to win, still with eight wickets in hand.
10.20PM: MARSH SMASHES PAST 100 RUNS
Mitch Marsh was held on 99 runs for a number of deliveries before finally breaking through with a single.
It’s been a fantastic knock, coming in for the loss of Travis Head very early in the innings.
Marsh celebrated the milestone by hitting a six the next ball he was on strike.
10.00PM: PONTING QUESTIONS WARNER DISMISSAL
Was it a catch or not?
Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has cast doubt on whether the catch that dismissed David Warner should have been out.
Najmul Hossain held the ball for a few seconds at mid-on, then dropped it while trying to throw it high in celebration.
As Ponting pointed out, the incident was reminiscent of Ben Stokes’ dropped catch off Steve Smith during the Ashes series.
“Catch completed comfortably, but it’s only been in the last few months we’ve actually seen one like that in a Test match in the UK,” Ponting said.
“Ben Stokes was the man … went to throw the ball up in the air and clipped his leg on the way down.
“David Warner, I think, was completely oblivious to everything that had happened.
“Straight in the middle of his hands, no doubt about it. But it is the completion of the catch and being in complete control of your movements, is the way that it’s worded. Interesting …”
Shane Watson described it as a “Herschelle Gibbs’ re-enactment, referring to the famous incident in the 1999 World Cup where Gibbs dropped Australian captain Steve Waugh.
Of course, Waugh was given not out and went to lift Australia into the final.
9.50PM: WARNER CAUGHT IN CATCH CONTROVERSY
David Warner has fallen one run short of becoming the second man in history to make 500 runs at two ODI World Cups.
Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar is the only player to have reached that mark at two different World Cups.
Warner would have joined him with a score of 54 today but was dismissed for 53 after being caught off the bowling of Mustafizur Rahman.
There was some doubt about the catch, which Najmul Hossain took but then dropped trying to celebrate in shades of Ben Stokes during the Ashes.
But, he was deemed to have held it long enough before the celebration fail.
Warner made an incredible 647 runs at the 2019 World Cup in England, which ranks second behind Matthew Hayden’s 659 at the 2006/07 tournament in the West Indies for performances by an Australian.
Tendulkar has the overall record with 673 in the 2002-03 World Cup.
9.15PM: MARSH GETS TO 50, AUSTRALIA 100 UP
Mitch Marsh went to 50 off 37 balls in a reminder of just how crucial he is to Australia’s hopes of winning this World Cup.
David Warner has really got going to, taking 21 runs off his last 13 balls after a slow start.
That pair has taken Australia to 100 off 15 overs and unless Bangladesh strikes soon, its total of 306 isn’t going to be enough.
You sense if these two are around for another 5-10 overs, the run chase will be much easier from that point.
“At the moment it just feels like they’re hoping for a wicket,” says Matthew Hayden.
8.55PM: MARSH UPS THE ANTE
Mitch Marsh hasn’t taken long to get going after coming to the crease, smacking 30 from just 21 balls to push Australia up to 58-1 from ten overs.
David Warner has made an unusually slow start to his innings, sitting on 17 runs from 28 deliveries but has importantly preserved his wicket thus far.
8.26PM: HEAD CHOPS ON, AUSTRALIA 1-12
Taskin gets the early breakthrough for Bangladesh, getting Travis Head for 10 after a bright start.
Mitch Marsh joins David Warner.
BANGLADESH INNINGS
7.45PM: BANGLADESH FINISHES 8-306
Australia will need to make in excess of 300 to enter the World Cup semi-finals on a winning note.
Led by Towhid Hridoy’s 74 from 79 balls, Bangladesh has posted 8-306 as it tries to finish its campaign on a high in Pune.
Adam Zampa (2-32) was again the best of Australia’s bowlers.
World Cup debutant Sean Abbott did a great job in the final overs, deceiving the Bangladesh batters with a series of slower balls to limit the damage.
Australia recorded a new record for its highest successful chase at a World Cup against Afghanistan and will need to set a new mark to reel in Bangladesh’s score.
7.10PM: ZAMPA MAKES HISTORY
Adam Zampa is officially the most successful spinner for Australia in a single World Cup tournament.
Probably one of the worst balls he has bowled in India earns the leggie his 22nd scalp of the World Cup as Mushfiqur Rahim hauls the ball straight to Pat Cummins at mid-wicket.
It’s worth a reminder that the most wickets ever taken in a World Cup is 27 by Mitch Starc.
If Australia makes the final, who would bet against Zampa getting there?
You can also pick Zampa for just over $130k in KFC SuperCoach BBL this summer too, a crazy bargain when the Renegades play twice in round 1.
6.38PM: ANOTHER RUN OUT DISASTER
Mahmudullah was already off the ground before the third umpire verdict was delivered.
That’s how far out of his ground he was.
Bangladesh took off for a quick single, but Marnus Labuschagne was aware, pouncing on the ball and hitting the stumps while diving to remove one of the Tigers’ danger men.
Just as Bangladesh was building momentum, it will have to start again here.
How about this picture of Marnus’ second effort too!
6.30PM: PUNTER’S SURPRISE CALL ON AUSSIE NEW BALL
Ricky Ponting says Australia has “missed an opportunity” by not trialling Marcus Stoinis with the new ball during its group matches of the World Cup.
Stoinis opened the bowling in two of the three T20s Australia played against South Africa in August and September, taking five wickets.
The all-rounder was also used in that role in three of the five ODIs against the Proteas.
Ponting said with swing bowlers such as Sri Lanka’s Dilshan Madushanka and India’s Mohammed Shami excelling, Australia should have turned to Stoinis.
“I thought about it before the last game as well when they went to Mumbai. The reason I say it is if you look at the teams that are taking wickets and the individuals that are taking wickets with the new ball in this tournament, it’s guys that are moving it,” he said. “Madushanka, 21 wickets, Shami, Bumrah, Siraj, they’re all moving that new ball. Because they can move that new ball it allows them to bowl that slightly fuller length.
“I’m a big believer in utilising everybody’s skills that you’ve got in your side. Marcus Stoinis has got that skill. He’s got the skill to move the brand new ball.
“We saw him open the bowling in South Africa — he swung the new ball over there.
“I just think they probably missed an opportunity in the last couple of games to actually have an experiment, have a look at that.”
Earlier, Ponting noted only two countries had taken less wickets in the powerplay overs than Australia at this World Cup.
6PM: LABUSCHANGE RUN OUT ENDS PARTNERSHIP
Marnus Labuschagne deserves credit for his sharp work, but what was Bangladesh thinking?
Shanto clips a ball behind square, gets through easily for one and then takes off for a second just as Labuschagne was gathering the ball on the turn.
He picks up and throws on the bounce to Josh Inglis who completes the run out.
Just as Bangladesh would have been eyeing a total in excess of 300, Matthew Hayden says it’s the type of dismissal which could slow the run rate heading into the last 20 overs.
5.40PM: PONTING’S DUAL CONCERN FOR AUSSIES
Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has pinpointed two areas of concern for Australia which could jeopardise its hopes of World Cup glory.
Ponting said Australia’s powerplay bowling — which was a problem against Bangladesh today — continued to threaten its hopes of going all the way.
He said only two nations had taken less wickets in the powerplay overs than Australia at the tournament.
The other area is Australia’s middle-order batting, which in several games has been unable to capitalise on blistering starts.
“I think there’s also a few worries with their batting. Their middle-order batting hasn’t clicked as well as it could either, so far in the tournament,” Ponting said.
Shane Watson questioned why more short balls weren’t bowled in the first 10 overs, in particular to Tanzid Hasan who has been susceptible when pushed onto the back foot.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh is still going at better than six an over after being sent in.
5.20PM: ZAMPA TAKES ANOTHER WICKET
Well that was a strange one.
Bangladesh has played with so much energy and intent in the first 16 overs, but Liton Das has gone and thown his wicket away with a tame shot.
He tried to take on Adam Zampa down the ground, but instead chipped a shot straight to Marnus Labuschagne at long-on.
“There was no energy, no power in his body to be able to clear the fence,” Shane Watson says.
“Catching practice for Marnus Labuschagne.”
Zampa has 21 wickets in this World Cup, equal to Brad Hogg (2006/07) for the most wickets in a World Cup by a spin bowler.
The record is Mitch Starc with 27.
Adam Zampa has 21 wickets in this #CWC23 and probably should have had 22.
— Tim Michell (@tim_michell) November 11, 2023
Only four Aussie bowlers have taken more in a World Cup - all quicks.
One more and he'll be the most successful Aussie spinner at any ODI WC.
5PM: ABBOTT STRIKES
Australia can breathe a momentary sigh of relief after World Cup debutant Sean Abbott removes Tanzid Hasan.
The Bangladesh opener goes caught and bowled for 36 off 34 balls, ending a 76-run opening partnership.
4.40PM: TIGERS FEAST ON ‘PREDICTABLE’ BOWLING
Bangladesh has charged through the opening eight overs of its innings after asked to bat by Pat Cummins.
The Tigers are 0-48 and World Cup debutant Sean Abbott’s first over cost 13 runs.
Earlier, Matthew Hayden questioned whether Australia’s seamers had enough variety, saying they had been “predictable” with the new ball.
He also said Bangladesh had been able to attack “without fear, knowing that’s exactly where Hazlewood is going to pitch it.”
Ricky Ponting agreed, adding: “Very little movement so far for the Australian seamers.”
4.25PM: THE BIG SEMI-FINAL QUESTION
Marcus Stoinis or Marnus Labuschagne?
One of the hard-hitting all-rounder and craft batter loom as the hardluck story of Australia’s semi-final selection meeting in coming days.
Mitch Starc will come back into the side after being rested for the final group match against Bangladesh, as will Glenn Maxwell after his double hundred against Afghanistan.
Former Aussie wicketkeeper Brad Haddin said the Eden Gardens pitch would likely determine whether Labuschagne or Stoinis made way.
“If you’ve got a surface that looks like it’s going to turn, and take a lot of turn, I think Marnus will play,” he said.
“But if you’ve got a flat wicket where Marcus Stoinis’ bowling option will be of big benefit, and his power game also on a flat surface. They’re the only two I reckon (who) are competing for a spot for the semi-final.”
Brendon Julian said Stoinis needed to stake a claim against Bangladesh or would likely be the man left out.
“I’m thinking Marcus Stoinis has got an opportunity here to get himself into the semi-final, because I think it’s touch-and-go,” he said.
“Maxwell comes back into the side, I think Marcus Stoinis will be the one that may move out.”
SOUTH AFRICAN FEARS RAISED AS SEMI-FINAL LOOMS
Robert Craddock
When South Africa were storming undefeated through the early rounds of cricket’s World Cup, their joy was diluted by the sight of a gold capped grim reaper lurking in the shadows.
“Everyone was thinking ‘you can tell where this is heading – bloody Australia in the bloody semi-finals,’’ said South Africa’s most experienced cricket scribe Neil Manthorp.
The prophets of gloom were on the money for Australia, after winding up its preliminary matches against Bangladesh, will meet South Africa in the second semi-final next Thursday.
“I think South Africa would have preferred to play any other team – India included – than Australia.
“There is a lot of painful history which is burnt so deeply it’s almost as if players carry it around like branded cattle.’’
Some of the current squad were not even born when that painful history was written in the 1999 World Cup – but they have seen the highlights more times than the first moon landing.
The first blow came in a Super Sixes match at Leeds where Australia seemed all but eliminated from final contention at 3-48 chasing South Africa’s 7-271 under grim, grey skies before Steve Waugh’s epic 120, aided by the infamous Herschelle Gibbs dropped chance, saw them home.
Four days later they met again in Birmingham and were both bowled out for 213 before a euphoric Australia advanced via a superior tournament run rate to the final (which they won) against Pakistan.
It was sporting agony of the purest kind and it left South Africa in a hole from which they are still trying to escape 24 years later. One bogey created another.
Almost a quarter of a century after the torture of 1999, South Africa are still yet to win a T20 or 50 over World Cup.
The closer they get it seems the bigger the final stumble. They hate being called chokers but they know until the curse is cracked they will have to live with that moniker.
“Both issues (the Australia thing and World Cup drought) are huge,’’ Manthorp said. “When South Africa reach the semi-finals of a World Cup people at home start thinking “how will they break our hearts this time? They expect the worst.’’
In rugby union, South Africa, as they proved last month, are the team who can win from anywhere, but in cricket it’s the other way around.
In trying to the crack the Australian Cup curse South Africa have tried some strange tactics.
When the two sides met in a semi-final of the 2007 World Cup in St Lucia South Africa decided they were the ones who would do the bullying, but the grand plan exploded on the tarmac.
The normally restrained Jacques Kallis – in a shot he would never have contemplated under normal circumstances – charged the great Glenn McGrath and was bowled.
Batsman Rassie Van der Dussen says the key in conquering the bogey next week is staring it down not pretending it’s not there.
“I suppose it’s about just acknowledging and accepting it. You realise that there’s people at home and fans that have been really scarred by the previous performances of South Africa at World Cups.
“You can’t really criticise them for feeling that way, for the criticism to come from, I suppose, a place of hurt where they’ve seen that movie before.
“But personally, and I think it goes for probably most of the people in our squad and management team, that we haven’t lived that.
“So, it’s not really applicable to us.”
We’ll see.
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