Mens ODI World Cup: Marsh’s brilliant century leads Australia to 8-wicket win over Bangladesh

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Pune. Mitchell Marsh’s brilliant unbeaten 177 off 132 balls helped Australia defeat Bangladesh by eight wickets in the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023 here on Saturday and complete their inaugural league campaign with seven wins.

Bangladesh posted an impressive score of 306/8 in 50 overs thanks to a patient 74 from Tauheed Hridoy. After this, Australia’s number three player Marsh scored a century by hitting nine sixes and 26 fours. He lit up the second innings of the match and brought Australia to the group stage.

With Marsh’s effort, a half-century from David Warner and good support from Steve Smith, the Australians made easy work of a tough target and sent the five-time world champions into the semi-finals brimming with confidence.

With the defeat, Bangladesh completed their campaign in the tournament with four points and their chances of qualifying for the Champions Trophy now depend on Netherlands’ result against India.

The strength of Australia’s top order was on full display in Pune on Saturday, as they wasted little time in setting up a challenging score.

Australia lost a wicket early in the chase when Travis Head played down Taskin Ahmed. The ball took the inside edge and kissed the stumps before going back to the keeper.

However, Mitchell Marsh lifted Australia. The all-rounder, dealing mainly from boundaries, ensured Australia progressed close to seven runs per over.

Bangladesh’s spinners slowed down the scoring rate temporarily, while David Warner took time to score runs at the other end.

Marsh completed his half-century in just 37 balls. And Warner scored 50 off 52 balls and kicked on after holding his own against the spinners.

Australia’s impressive start to chase their target was spoiled when Warner was caught by Nazmul Hussain Shanto off the bowling of Mustafizur Rahman at 53 out of 61.

But, with Marsh still in the middle and playing beautifully, Australia were always in control. Marsh started his attack in style. With the support of the returning Smith, Marsh played a brilliant inning of 177 not out in just 132 balls, hitting nine sixes in his brilliant innings.

He completed his century with the help of 11 fours and four sixes in 87 balls, taking Australia beyond 200 runs. Marsh scored 150 runs in 117 balls, which included 16 fours and seven sixes.

Smith, who missed the last match for Australia, held the other end and brought up his half-century in 55 balls. Australia won by eight wickets thanks to an unbeaten 175-run partnership between Marsh and Smith.

Earlier in Pune, Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bowl first, before confirming that match-winning hero Glenn Maxwell has been given a good rest to get himself back in top condition for the knockout stage.

Tauheed Hridoy’s brilliant half-century helped Bangladesh post 306/8 against Australia, which perhaps could have been higher but for Marnus Labuschagne’s influence in the field.

Bangladesh’s top five batsmen each scored at least 30, but only Hridayoy (74) could convert a start into a half-century as Australia were able to make the most of some excellent fielding to prevent their opponents from taking command. Was capable.

Labuschagne had a direct hand in dismissing four of Australia’s players, including brilliant run-outs of Nazmul Hossain Shanto and Mahmudullah Riyad, which broke a pair of unlucky stands.

Stand-in captain Shanto (45) was the first to test Labuschagne’s arm in search of another run, but fell short despite a last-gasp dive.

In-form veteran Mahmudullah (32) was out of his crease early in an attempt to take a quick single as Labuschagne pounced on the ball and knocked down the stumps in an action that also included a dive.

Bangladesh were still able to post a strong score with Hridoy being the top scorer and useful contributions from the entire batting group.

Australia fast bowler Sean Abbott (2/61) took a wicket on his Cricket World Cup debut, ending the budding first partnership between Bangladesh openers Tanjid Hasan and Liton Das.

Shanto then along with Hridoy took Bangladesh to 161/2 at the halfway point of the innings and left the match tied.

After Labuschagne struck twice to run out Shanto and Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur Rahim (21) was looking strong until he was caught in an attempt to increase the run rate as Zampa made the most in the cricket world so far. Took first place in terms of taking most wickets in the cup.

Bangladesh were able to cross 300 and move towards their highest score of the tournament, while Australia took regular wickets in the death overs to ensure that this was a target they were still confident of achieving.

Brief Score:

Bangladesh 306/8 in 50 overs (Tawheed Hridoy 74, Nazmul Hossain Shanto 45, Tanjeed Hasan 36, Liton Das 36, Sean Abbott 2/61, Adam Zampa 2/32) lost to Australia 307/2 in 44.4 overs (Mitchell Marsh 177 not out, Steve Smith 63, David Warner 53, Taskin Ahmed 1-61) by eight wickets.
–IANS

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