CT 2017: Australia v Bangladesh, Game 5 – Match Result Predictions

The Kennington Oval in London will be the venue for the 5th match of the ICC Champions Trophy where Australia will face Bangladesh. Both teams didn’t have the kind of starts they would have hoped for in their first matches. Bangladesh lost to England in the opening match of the tournament whereas Australia survived a scare against New Zealand as the rain came to their rescue.

Australia entered the Champions Trophy as one of the favorites but they got a reality check against their neighbors New Zealand. The Kiwis scored 291 runs in a match that was curtailed to 46 overs while batting first. Australia were tottering at 53/3 after 9 overs and were well behind the eight ball. Just then, rain gods interrupted and didn’t allow any further play as the match was abandoned. The Aussies got the one point by luck otherwise they were looking like getting none.

On the other hand, Bangladesh began on a positive note as they scored 305/6 batting first against the hosts. Tamim Iqbal scored a magnificent century and gave hopes of upsetting England. But the Englishmen blessed by the century of Joe Root chased down the total comfortably. The defeat certainly proved that the bowling was not good enough to back up the good work done by the batsmen.

Now, the two sides would be looking to resurrect their campaigns to stand a chance to move ahead in the tournament. Although Australia appear to be the stronger side, they cannot take Bangladesh for granted.

Here is what Crictracker predicts for the game:

Scenario 1: Australia wins the toss

Toss prediction: Australia will choose to bowl first

First innings score prediction: 250-260

Result prediction: Australia will win the match by 6 wickets with 4 overs to spare

Scenario 2: Bangladesh wins the toss

Toss prediction: Bangladesh will choose to bowl first

First innings score prediction: 340-350

Result prediction: Australia will win the match by more than 70 runs

Head to Head Record

Overall: Total Matches – 20, Australia Won – 18, Bangladesh Won – 1, No Result – 1

Matches in England: Total Matches – 4, Australia Won – 3, Bangladesh Won – 1

Australia have dominated Bangladesh in the ODI history. Bangladesh’s only win against them came in this very country and they would hope for a repeat of that performance. But the reality is that Australia have a far stronger side than Bangladesh and are the firm favorites to win the match.

Playing Combinations

Australia:

The openers David Warner and Aaron Finch got out cheaply against New Zealand but this pair is too good to fail twice in a row. The skipper Steven Smith has been in a great touch of late and once again would be the key for the side. Moises Henriques and Travis Head will bat in the middle order and Glenn Maxwell and Matthew Wade will provide the finish to the innings. Even after a dismal show against New Zealand, the batting line-up looks strong.

In the first game, they went in with John Hastings ahead of James Pattinson but the former picked up 2 wickets in 9 overs at the expense of 69 runs in 9 overs. Chances are that he might be replaced by Adam Zampa, given the impact of leg-spinner Imran Tahir on the same ground against Sri Lanka. Josh Hazlewood bagged six wickets in the last game and once again would be expected to lead the attack. Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins would most likely retain their places in the squad.

Predicted XI: David Warner, Aaron Finch, Steven Smtih(c), Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Wade(wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

Bangladesh:

The opener Tamim Iqbal was the most instrumental batsman for his side against England as he scored 128 runs off 142 balls. The only argument could be against the strike rate at which he batted. Soumya Sarkar and Imrul Kayes had decent starts but failed to convert as they would be looking to resurrect that. Mushfiqur Rahim played a good hand of 79 of 72 and his form will be very crucial. Shakib Al Hasan, Sabbir Rahman and Mahmudullah need to raise their game if they are to beat Australia.

The pace battery of Mashrafe Mortaza, Mustafizur Rahman and Rubel Hossain didn’t make too much impact against England as only the skipper claimed a solitary wicket. The spinners Shakib Al Hasan and Mosaddek Hossain Saikat weren’t effective either as they remained wicketless. They are better off bringing in the talented Mehedi Hasan in the XI in place of Mosaddek. The bowling department will face a stern examination against the mighty Australian batting line-up.

Predicted XI: Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Imrul Kayes, Mushfiqur Rahim(wk), Shakib Al Hasan, Sabbir Rahman, Mahmudullah, Mehedi Hasan, Mashrafe Mortaza(c), Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain

The World Champions Australia possess a very strong side which shouldn’t face too many difficulties in defeating Bangladesh.

Australia are the firm favorites to win the match as an upset from Bangladesh is unlikely against a daunting opposition.

You can follow the live scores of the match here

Do let us know your predictions in the comments section below.