AUS VS BAN - Match 26, ICC Cricket World Cup 2019

Harsha Bhogle: Spirited run chase by Bangladesh. Conceded too many to allow for more but they can be proud of this. Eventually though, Australia were too powerful.

Bangladesh have suffered their third loss. Pretty much like Pakistan has or SA who have lost four. But Bangladesh certainly have shown more fight. Only if they hadn't looked clueless and hapless in the last 10 of their bowling innings, who knows what could have transpired!? Mashrafe had to turn to Soumya Sarkar and it defined the problems that Bangladesh had to suffer today. But Australia were clinical again and their campaign barring the hiccup against India has looked smooth. Their next three opponents are England, New Zealand and South Africa. Bangladesh on their part have an Asian platter coming up -- Afghanistan, India and Pakistan. They need three wins to stay afloat in the tourney and of course favourable results from other games as well. The permutations and combinations will continue. But our mathematically challenged team will take an exit. This is Kumar Abhisekh Das wishing you tada on behalf of Pradeep Krishnamurthy, Sagar Chawla, Nikhil Jadhav, Rishi Roy and Sulthan.

Aaron Finch | Winning Captain: Every time there was a partnership going, there were a few butterflies. We have been pretty consistent. We have guys who have WC experience. Having good partnerships with bat and ball is important. Few of the changes were forced. The spinner was left out as well for a few games. It also depends on the wicket. We always pride ourselves on our fielding and we were quite sloppy despite the wet conditions at the beginning. No excuses there. Not yet thinking about semis. Hopefully, we will secure a place in the top four. Nice to get a couple of boundaries away at the start. The wickets have been good as well and that helps as an opening batsman.

Mashrafe Mortaza | Losing Captain: I think we gave away 40-50 on the field. Otherwise, it could have been a different chase. Credit to Warner and other Australian batsmen. This is the best we have. A few newcomers have come in. To be honest, we have been positive. Soumya got out run out and Shakib-Tamim did well but 381 was tough. Every game we need to win and wait for others as well.

David Warner | Man of the Match | 166(147): Obviously it's a great achievement (to equal Adam Gilchrist's 16 hundreds). For us it's about getting the 2 points and moving onto the next game at Lord's. I think you always keep wickets in hand in ODIs. It's the way we play. We don't intentionally not go after it on purpose. You have to respect the new ball. If you get off to a flier, you go ahead with the momentum you have. The bowlers bowled well to us in patches. It's about knocking it around and try to target 6-8 an over after that in the middle overs. You have to adapt to the conditions, and it's about momentum after that. If you get off to a flier, it's about assessing:
(1) how many wickets you lost, and
(2) how to go about the middle overs.
It was a little slow, the wicket, but credit to the way Bangladesh fought. Mushfiqur played a fantastic innings. It was a grind for the bowlers, very difficult to get wickets out there, but it was great to get those two points in the end.

Bangladesh's highest totals | In ODIs
333-8 | Aus, Nottingham (TODAY)
330-6 | SA, The Oval (2019)
329-6 | Pak, Mirpur (2015)
326-3 | Pak, Mirpur (2014)

18:56 Local Time, 17:56 GMT, 23:26 IST: Bangladesh's highest total in ODIs didn't suffice. That kind of a day. Once Australia muscled 131 runs in the last 10 overs, they did just enough to push Bangladesh on the brink, if not out of the game. But the Bangladeshi innings had some ebbs and flows about it. Their batters decided to be positive and ensured Australia had to work hard for this win. A win by 48 runs might not mean it was close. But Aussies never underestimated their counterparts. And this total of 333 was despite Shakib having an off day. But Tamim, Rahim and Mahmudullah came to the party and ensured it wasn't a dull contest. Their NRR also wouldn't have suffered as much as it might have in case of a tame effort. But Bangladesh showed stomach for a fight and that augurs well for them for the rest of the tournament. Like SA, Pakistan and a few others, Bangladesh can only better their chances of a semi-final qualification with only wins from here. Going back in time, Davey Warner sizzled with a 166 and almost threatened to get a double. Maxwell also showcased his brilliance with a 10-ball 32. That I feel took it beyond the reach of Bangladesh.

Stoinis to Mortaza, out Caught by Maxwell!! Beaming faces for Australia and their fans. They win this and go to the top of the table with a convincing 48 run win. Short and slow, Mortaza went for the pull and found one of the safest pair of hands in world cricket at deep mid. Mortaza c Maxwell b Stoinis 6(5) [4s-1]

Stoinis to Mortaza, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

Bangladesh's centurions in World Cup:
- Mahmudullah (2),
- Shakib-al-Hasan (2)
- Mushfiqur Rahim (1 - TODAY)

Stoinis to Rahim, 1 run, creams the low full toss away to long-on for a single. 49 more needed, one ball to go

Stoinis to Mortaza, 1 run, pushed out into the off-side for a single

Stoinis to Mortaza, FOUR, muscles the slower delivery down the ground for a one bounce four. This is Bangladesh's highest total ever in an ODI. Reduces the margin of defeat and boosts their NRR

Stoinis to Mortaza, no run, exposes his sticks and looks to slog sweep it but ends up missing it

Stoinis to Rahim, 1 run, tucks the ball out into the on-side and they get a single

Starc to Rahim, 1 run, First WC century for Rahim! Seventh in ODIs. But won't be enough for Bangladesh today. Was a length ball and was pushed out into the off-side for a single. Has hit the ball well today but it needed a more powerfull effort

Starc to Rahim, no run, on a length and has been pushed out into the off-side. First defensive block from Rahim after a long time. Pressure of 99?

Starc to Mortaza, 1 run, nails the yorker from round the wicket and Mortaza gets it off the outer edge as he tried to close the face of the bat. The ball dribbled away to third man

Starc to Rahim, 1 run, darts the yorker in at the base of the sticks and was clipped away off the pads for a single. Moves to 99 does Rahim

Mashrafe Mortaza, right handed bat, comes to the crease

Starc to Mehidy Hasan, out Caught by Warner!! Chips it on the clip and the man at mid-on takes it. That was bowled at 145kph, Mehidy Hasan backed away and looked to clip it but failed to supply any power into the shot and Warner takes one of his easiest catches. Starc gets another wicket. Second of the day and 16th of the tournament. Mehidy Hasan c Warner b Starc 6(7)