AUS vs BAN Playing 11: Mitchell Marsh-led Australia will lock horns with Najmul Hossain Shanto-led Bangladesh to play the 44th match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 on June 21 in Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua.
Australia is in formidable form in the edition of the tournament as they remain unbeaten after playing their four group-stage matches. The game against Bangladesh will be their first match of the Super 8 round.
Bangladesh on the other side, after losing their second game against South Africa picked up two 20-odd-run wins in the next two matches but it’s their bowling that’s done the heavy lifting.
Bangladesh’s only defeat in the group stage came against South Africa when they lost the game by 4 runs.
AUS vs BAN Playing 11
Bangladesh: Tanzid Hasan, Litton Das(w), Najmul Hossain Shanto(c), Shakib Al Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Mustafizur Rahman
Australia: Travis Head, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh(c), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Matthew Wade(w), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
Winning the toss, Australian captain Mitchell Marsh said, “We are going to bowl first. Looks a decent wicket, don’t think it’ll change too much. It’s always nice to get used to the conditions, we have played one game here.
The wickets have played pretty well, hopefully we have a great game. As the tournament goes deeper, the pressure rises. It’s about trusting our game, sticking to our style and more importantly enjoy the game. Two changes. Starc and Cummins come in for Agar and Ellis”.
Bangladesh captain Najmul Shanto said, “I’d have bowled first as well, but happy to bat. We made one change, Shaki Mahedi comes in and Jaker Ali isn’t playing. As a batting group, we need to do something special. Looks a good wicket”.
What to Expect in Sir Vivian Richards Stadium Today?
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.
