CWC 2023: Mitchell Marsh steers Aussies to a 8-wicket win against Bangladesh

CHENNAI: Star all-rounder Mitchell Marsh displayed his six-hitting prowess on way to a magnificent 177 not out as Australia warmed up for the semifinals with an eight-wicket thrashing of Bangladesh in the World Cup here on Saturday.

Set a target of 307, Australia rode on Marsh’s third ODI hundred and fifties from David Warner (53) and Steve Smith (63 not out) to complete the task with 32 balls in hand. The five-time champion will face South Africa in the semifinal in Kolkata on November 16.

Bangladesh, on the other hand, ended its campaign with yet another loss and would hope India beat the Netherlands on Sunday so that it can hold on to its eighth position and qualify for the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan.

Marsh, who had gone home after losing his grandfather, smashed as many as 9 maximums and 17 fours during his excellent knock, adding 120 off 116 and 175 off 136 deliveries with Warner and Smith for the second and third wickets respectively to take it away from the Asian team.

Marsh’s innings was also the second highest individual score of this World Cup after Glenn Maxwell’s 201 not out.

Earlier, Towhid Hridoy slammed a 79-ball 74, studded with five fours and two sixes, as Bangladesh produced its best batting effort of the tournament to post a competitive 306 for 8.

In response, Australia lost Travis Head (10) early but Marsh and Warner shrugged off the jittery start to take them to 100 for 1 in 15 overs.

Marsh looked in solid form, making an attacking start as Warner seemed happy to play the second fiddle.

Marsh cracked three fours off Mahedi Hasan in the fourth over before depositing Taskin Ahmed over deep square leg. He then danced down the pitch to clobber another six off Nasum Ahmed and repeated the treatment to Mehidy Hasan Miraz in the 12th over.

The result was Marsh raced to his fifty in 37 balls.

Warner used his pull shot to good use and ran well between the wickets to keep ticking along. He picked Nasum for special treatment, sending him across the fence twice in the seventh over.

In the 19th over, Warner cut the bowler for another four through the covers to bring up the 100-run stand with Marsh, before reaching his fifty with another boundary.

Mustafizur Rahman returned to remove Warner in the 23rd over though Shanto almost dropped the catch, which reminded of Herschelle Gibbs’ moment from the 1999 edition.

Marsh continued unfazed, owning the off side, using his cover drives and off drives to score maximum runs there.

BRIEF SCORES: Bangladesh 306/8 in 50 overs (T Hridoy 74, NH Shanto 45) lost to Australia 307/2 in 44.4 overs (M Marsh 177*, S Smith 63*, D Warner 53)