Aus v Ban World T20 Preview: Battered teams can ill-afford another defeat

Doomsday literally means the last day of the world’s existence and the word also hold’s significance for Australia and Bangladesh as they face an acid test of survival in the World T20. Having been beaten in their opening encounters, both teams can ill-afford another poor performance. While the Aussies lost a closely fought match against the high-flying Kiwis, the Bangladeshi tigers were outclassed by Pakistan. In a group that has witnessed the consistency of New Zealand and the resurgence of India, both these teams will know that every game is a must-win for them.

Australia

A top score of 44 in five innings since Australia got into T20 mode represents something of a slump for Steven Smith, the first real dip of his Australian captaincy. It has maintained a mediocre T20 record, and he will hope not to be found wandering down the pitch to be stumped again as he was against New Zealand. David Warner’s batting position has been a cause for much speculation and Australia will be well advised to use his services in the opening position. Shane Watson should bat in the middle order and Josh Hazlewood should be back for this crucial match.

Continuity has long been a problem for Australia in T20, and the New Zealand defeat raised the prospect of still more shuffling. They will receive a good batting surface in Bangalore however will need to be clever against the spinning ball given Bangladesh will not be short of slow men. Aaron Finch should ideally be back and Ashton Agar should be dropped given the conditions on offer.

Bangladesh

Bangladesh has been hampered by the banning of Taskin Ahmed and Arafat Sunny for illegal bowling actions. Aside from the trauma of being ejected from the competition, they have presented the coach and captain of selection dilemma about who comes in. The batting all-rounder Shuvagata Hom and left-arm spinner Saqlain Sajib are their likely replacements, the latter chosen for the first time.

In Tamim Iqbal, Mahmudullah and Shakib Al Hasan they have match-winners who are capable of winning games on their own, what they need is support from the other players. A win here may look unlikely against a strong Aussie side however one can never count out the Tigers because of the talent they posses. Bangladesh is well capable of springing a surprise or two on their day and will hope that day is tomorrow.

Form guide: (last five completed matches, most recent first)

Australia LWWLL

Bangladesh LWWLW

Pitch and Conditions:

There was a tinge of green to the pitch at M Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore, but it is unlikely to hamper strokeplay. If anything, it might help the ball come onto the bat quicker. Chasing has been the favoured formula here. The forecast is for a clear day, but a cloudy night.

Probable XI-

Australia: Aaron Finch/ Usman Khawaja, David Warner, Steven Smith (capt), Glenn Maxwell, Shane Watson, Mitchell Marsh, James Faulkner, Peter Nevill (wk), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.

Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Sabbir Rahman, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah, Mohammad Mithun, Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), Al-Amin Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman Abu Hider.

Stats:

1. Australia has won all three T20I meetings with Bangladesh, most recently at the World T20 in 2014 after both sides had been knocked out ahead of the semis.

2. Before this tournament, Bangalore had only hosted one T20I, a low scoring encounter won by Pakistan against India in 2012. This will be the third one after the West Indies v Sri Lanka game in the ongoing tournament.