Australia v Bangladesh, ICC Champions Trophy 2017: A look ahead

Match:Australia v Bangladesh
**Group:**Group A
**Date:**Monday, June 5
**Venue:**The Oval, London

Head2Head in ODIs:

Australia leads this head-to-head overwhelmingly, winning 18 of the 19 encounters against Bangladesh. Bangladesh, though, hasn’t played an ODI against Australia since 2011. Hence, the resurgent side could definitely give Australia a stiff contest.

Greatest ODI encounter:

Of the 19 matches played between these two sides, the one match that stands out is the one encounter won by Bangladesh. In 2005, Mohammed Ashraful scored a historic hundred at Cardiff setting up that memorable win.

Michael Clarke (54) and Damien Martyn (77) took Australia to 249, with Tapash Baisya picking up three wickets.

The Bangladesh batsmen were put under pressure early. But, Habibul Bashar (47) and Mohammed Ashraful stitched together a strong partnership and took Bangladesh to the brink after which Aftab Ahmed finished the job.

Although this match was way back in 2005, Bangladesh will always have fond memories from it, and hope to repeat that performance during the ICC Champions Trophy 2017.

Previous Champions Trophy encounter:

Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo, September 19, 2002
Australia won by nine wickets
PoM: Mazharul Haque

Bangladesh was clinically bowled out in 45.2 overs for 129 (Jason Gillespie 3-20), and then batted out of the game by Matthew Hayden (67) and Adam Gilchrist (54). Australia overhauled the target in 20.4 overs.

Previous World Cup encounters:

Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua, March 31, 2007
Australia won by ten wickets
*PoM:*Glenn McGrath

Bangladesh posted 104 for 6 in the 22-over game, with Glenn McGrath taking 3 for 16. Its bowlers though had no answers for Adam Gilchrist (59*) and Matthew Hayden (47*), as they chased the total in 13.5 overs.

Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street, May 27, 1999
Australia won by seven wickets
PoM: Tom Moody

Tom Moody’s all-round skills (3-25 and 56*) helped Australia ease to a big win. Bangladesh was kept to 178, before the top order chased down the target in 19.5 overs. Adam Gilchrist top-scored with 63.

Key players for each side:

With an inevitably strong batting line-up, Australia will only have to worry about its bowling combinations during this Champions Trophy. No matter who else makes the team, Australia will be hoping that Mitchell Starcwill be available for all its games. After recently becoming the fastest to 100 ODI wickets, Starc has proved that he is capable of leading the fast-bowling attack with his genuine pace and ability to swing the ball. With his ability to swing the ball at the start, and bowl yorkers at the death, Starc is a double-edged threat.

Over the past few years, Bangladesh has had troubles mainly due to its bowling line up. In recent times though, the Tigers have had brilliant success with the ball mainly inspired by one man, **Mustafizur Rahman.**His main weapon, the slower-ball cutter, is almost perfectly disguised. Australia has to watch out for him, and pick out the right deliveries to score runs. Otherwise, ‘the Fizz’ will just chip away.

Key facts:

• Mashrafe Mortaza has 15 wickets against Australia. Although, it has come at an average of 40.00
• Bangladesh’s lowest ODI total against Australia is 74, with its highest being 295.
• Australia’s high score of 361 is the only 300+ score it has against Bangladesh.

Best at Champions Trophy:

**Australia:**Winners 2006 and 2009
**Bangladesh:**Group stage

Australia play Bangladesh in Group A of ICC Champions Trophy 2017 on Monday, June 5 at Kennington Oval in London. The ticket ballot is now open and you can apply for tickets by clicking on the banner below or going to www.icc-cricket.com/tickets.