PUNE: Mitchell Marsh blasted his second big century of the World Cup as Australia primed themselves for the semi-finals by cruising to their seventh straight victory with an eight-wicket win over Bangladesh on Saturday.

Australia , already guaranteed a last-four clash with South Africa, lost Travis Head early in their chase of 307 but fellow opener David Warner (53) and Marsh (177 not out) forged a 120-run partnership for the second wicket before the five-time world champions comfortably got home in 44.4 overs.

Australia skipper Pat Cummins heaped praise on Marsh and struck a confident tone ahead of the semi-finals.

“The tempo that he played at was sustainable and he’s a scary prospect to have,” he said. “Seven games in a row… Even when we weren’t at our best in some of those games, we came away with a win.”

Marsh reached his third One-day International century in 87 deliveries and ended with 17 fours and nine sixes as he turned the screws on Bangladesh in a 175-run stand with Steve Smith (63 not out), who returned to the side after a bout of vertigo.

“Can’t wait for the semi-final, it’s going to be a ripper,” said man-of-the-match Marsh. “We’re bloody pumped to get to Kolkata.”

Marsh had briefly returned home last week following his grandfather’s death.

“I’m sure my nana, mum and all the family will be watching at home, so hopefully it’s put a smile on their faces. My pop was a great man and they celebrated his life yesterday.”

Marsh joked his innings had offset a bowling figures of 0-48 in four overs.

“Not every day that you get player of the match after you concede 50-odd in four overs,” he said. “Started off with -50 when I began batting. But good to get stuck in.”

Towhid Hridoy earlier scored his maiden half-century of the tournament on his way to 74 at Pune’s MCA Stadium, as Bangladesh finished with 306-8 from 50 overs in the final group game for both sides.

Australia gave explosive batsman Glenn Maxwell another day off ahead of their semi-final in Kolkata on Nov 16, while Sean Abbott (2-61) had a good match replacing Mitchell Starc.

Bangladesh’s top-order all made solid starts after Cummins won the toss and opted to bowl as Tanzid Hasan (36), Litton Das (36), Najmul Hossain Shanto (45) and Mahmudullah (32) took advantage of the helpful conditions.

Leg-spinner Adam Zampa (2-32) snared Mushfiqur Rahim to bag his 22nd victim and emerge as the top wicket-taker after Marnus Labuschagne threw a spanner in the works by superbly effecting two run-outs.

“The two run-outs were crucial,” said Shanto, who captained Bangladesh after Shakib Al Hasan’s finger injury forced him out of the game. “After the run-outs we lost momentum. If we had made 340-350 it could have been different.”

Hridoy ensured Bangladesh had a good platform to build on and the 22-year-old struck five fours and two sixes in his 79-ball knock but was caught in the deep while looking to accelerate in the 47th over.

Bangladesh finished with their best total of the tournament, only to suffer disappointment as Australia comfortably chased down their target with overs to spare with this loss leaving them dependent on other results for a top-eight finish that would qualify them for the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan.

Scoreboards

Bangladesh vs Australia

BANGLADESH:

Tanzid Hasan c and b Abbott 36

Liton Das c Labuschagne b Zampa 36

Najmul Hossain Shanto run out (Labuschagne/Inglis) 45

Towhid Hridoy c Labuschagne b Stoinis 74

Mahmudullah run out (Labuschagne) 32

Mushfiqur Rahim c Cummins b Zampa 21

Mehidy Hasan Miraz c Cummins b Abbott 29

Nasum Ahmed run out (Abbott) 7

Mahedi Hasan not out 2

Taskin Ahmed not out 0

EXTRAS (LB-10, NB-2, W-12) 24

TOTAL (for eight wkts, 50 overs) 306

DID NOT BAT: Mustafizur Rahman.

FALL OF WICKETS: 1-76 (Tanzid), 2-106 (Liton), 3-170 (Najmul), 4-214 (Mahmudullah), 5-251 (Mushfiqur), 6-286 (Hridoy), 7-303 (Mehidy), 8-304 (Nasum).

BOWLING: Hazlewood 7-1-21-0; Cummins 8-0-56-0 (4w); Abbott 10-0-61-2 (1nb); Marsh 4-0-48-0 (1nb, 2w); Zampa 10-0-32-2; Head 6-0-33-0; Stoinis 5-0-45-1 (2w).

AUSTRALIA:

T. Head b Taskin 10

D. Warner c Najmul b Mustafizur 53

M. Marsh not out 177

S. Smith not out 63

EXTRAS (W-4) 4

TOTAL (for two wkts, 44.5 overs) 307

DID NOT BAT: M. Labuschagne, J. Inglis, M. Stoinis, S. Abbott, P. Cummins, A. Zampa, J. Hazlewood.

FALL OF WICKETS: 1-12 (Head), 2-132 (Warner)

BOWLING: Taskin 10-0-61-1 (1w); Mahedi 9-0-38-0 (1w); Nasum 10-0-85-0 (1w); Mehidy 6-0-47-0; Mustafizur 9.4-1-76-1 (1w).

RESULT: Australia won by eight wickets.

MAN-OF-THE-MATCH: Mitchell Marsh (Australia).

Published in Dawn, November 12th, 2023