Australia vs Bangladesh, ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020, Canberra: Preview, likely XI, prediction

Australia, the tournament favourites, will look to take another step in the direction as far as winning this tournament is concerned when they take on Bangladesh in their third Group A match in Canberra.

Australia was shocked in the tournament opener, failing to chase down 133 against India, and unable to handle the low, flighted deliveries from Poonam Yadav, whose 4/19 completely turned the tide in the match.

It was, therefore, a much-needed a reminder of their abilities when they saw off Sri Lanka in their next encounter, although a team of Australia’s capabilities perhaps shouldn’t have taken till the last over to complete a measly chase of 123.

They received a significant scare against Chamari Athapaththu’s side, reduced to 3/10 early, before Rachael Haynes and Meg Lanning revived the chase. But the fact that Sri Lanka took it that close is a sign that, for all their dominance over the last decade, Australia aren’t invincible – and that’s great for the tournament.

The win was important, and Australia will now look to return to their dominant ways. They couldn’t have asked for a better side to do that against than Bangladesh, one of the two Qualifiers, in the tournament. That said, Bangladesh can’t be discounted entirely either.

They lost to India in their opener, by 18 runs, but there were moments in that encounter when Bangladesh had the upper hand. They didn’t let India’s big-hitters blaze away, and restricted them to 142/6 – if their bowlers can repeat and improve on those levels against Australia, there might yet be another upset in the tournament.

Head to head

This will be the first international ever to be played between these sides in the women’s game.

Key players

Alyssa Healy (Australia): Australia’s pocket rocket at the top can unnerve any fight Bangladesh have early on with her big-hitting abilities. Against India, her half-century kept Australia in the chase before the middle order crumbled, and against Sri Lanka, her early wicket put severe pressure on the middle order. She’s an important wicket.

Salma Khatun (Bangladesh): The off-spinner returned a fine 2/25 against India, and given Australia’s troubles against spinners so far in this tournament, she will once again be key in restricting the hosts. Sub-continental spinners have had their moments against Australia in this World Cup, and Bangladesh will be counting on that.

Likely XIs

Australia: Alyssa Healy (wk), Beth Mooney, Ash Gardner, Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes, Nicola Carey, Ellyse Perry, Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Molly Strano, Megan Schutt

Bangladesh: Shamima Sultana, Murshida Khatun, Sanjida Islam, Nigar Sultana (wk), Fargana Hoque, Fahima Khatun, Jahanara Alam, Rumana Ahmed, Salma Khatun (c), Nahida Akter, Panna Ghosh

Prediction

Australia to coast to a comfortable victory.