Marsh 177 powers semi-final bound Australia to thump Bangladesh

PUNE: Mitchell Marsh’s marathon 177-run knock powered Australia to thump Bangladesh by eight wickets in the 43rd match of the ICC World Cup 2023.

Set to chase a daunting 307-run target, Australia comfortably knocked off the winning runs for the loss of just two wickets and 32 balls to spare.

The five-time champions had a contrasting start to their pursuit as they lost Travis Head (10) in the third over with just 12 runs on the board.

Following the early blow, Marsh joined David Warner in the middle and anchored the proceedings with a 120-run partnership for the second wicket.

Mustafizur Rahman provided a much-needed breakthrough to Bangladesh in the 23rd over by getting rid of Warner, who scored 53. His 61-ball knock featured six boundaries.

Marsh then joined forces with Steve Smith and kept Australia in control.

The pair put together an unbeaten 175-run partnership and steered Australia to glory in the 45th over.

Marsh, who dominated the third-wicket partnership, smashed 17 boundaries and nine sixes on his way to top score for Australia with a 132-ball 177.

Smith, on the other hand, scored an unbeaten 63 in 63 deliveries, hitting four boundaries and a six.

Five-time champions Australia next face South Africa in the second semi-final of the ICC World Cup 2023 on November 16.

For Bangladesh, only Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman made one scalp each.

Bangladesh’s opening batters Tanzid Hasan and Litton Das scripted a flying start after being invited to bat, as they raised a 76-run stand for the first wicket.

Sean Abbott provided Australia with the breakthrough when he caught and bowled Tanzid Hasan after he scored 36 runs off 34 balls with the help of six boundaries.

Litton Das also scored 36 runs as his partner, however, he took 45 balls before Adam Zampa sent him back to the pavilion with 106 runs on the board.

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Bangladesh’s stand-in skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto and Hridoy then knitted a quick 63-run partnership for the third wicket to lift the team’s total to 170.

Shanto scored 45 runs off 57 balls, but his innings ended while attempting a second run only to be run out as Josh Inglis dislodged the bails after collecting a near-perfect throw by Marnus Labuschagne.

Mahmudullah then joined Hridoy and they added 44 runs for the fourth wicket, but Labuschagne’s direct hit ended the former’s brief 28-ball stay, during which he scored 32 runs with the help of three sixes and one boundary.

Mushfiqur Rahim and Mehidy Hasan Miraz then played 21 and 29-run cameos respectively, while Hridoy held on to one end, scoring 74 runs from 79 balls, before getting caught by Labuschagne off Marcus Stoinis.

Bangladesh managed to score 306 at a loss of eight wickets in their allocated 50 overs, with Hridoy topping the runs chart.

Meanwhile, Australia’s Sean Abbott and Adam Zampa picked two wickets each.

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