Australia's resurgence campaign begins in Bangladesh (Preview)

Bangladesh v Australia

1st One Day International

Venue: Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur

Start Time: 09:00 A.M. (IST)

The series between Australia and Bangladesh might not be a high profile one as other international fixtures going at the same time are but its significance can’t be overruled by any stretch of imagination.

For both the teams, who come into this bilateral fixture after having a poor world cup, these three matches will give them a fair idea where they stand. Some players, in the both teams, are on the brink of being axed, thus, for those it is an opportunity to cement their place in their respective teams.

It may not be a battle between two equals but conditions and home advantage gives Bangladesh as chance to give Australia good run for their money. Bangladesh after a world cup debacle haven’t made wholesale changes to their side but replaced non-performers with a mixture of seasoned and young players. For Bangladesh it is a case of graduating to another level in limited overs cricket and to bring consistency into their game and team management would want the players to earmark their goals from this series only.

For Australia, it will be altogether different scenario though. There will be no Ricky Ponting to lead them as he has done in last eight years. Instead Michael Clarke, his deputy under majority of Ponting’s reign, will don the captain’s cap after his former skipper decided to resign post world cup.

What would make an interest reading is how Clarke, known for his metro lifestyle, who had been under Ponting’s shadow for most of his career conducts himself on the cricket field and off it. Maximum focus will be on Clarke’s leadership skills and how he manages Ponting and other big guns like Michael Hussey and Brett Lee, to get best out of his players and lead by example will be his immediate examination.

Australia haven’t taken any drastic step post early exit in the world cup with team selected for Bangladesh series almost same that played in the global tournament. Only two players have been replaced and out of those two one was a forced one after Shaun Tait bid adieu to ODI’s. What would Australian team management and selectors have eye is performance of players like Cameron White, Michael Hussey , Mitchell Johnson and Ponting who selectors will be keen to see how he shapes up without being the captain of the side.

Primarily, it will be a battle between Australian middle order and army of spinners that Bangladesh posses. What will hold Aussies in good stead that they had a good month and a half in the sub-continent and should have a hang of the slow turners which will be on offer in Bangladesh.

AUSTRALIA

Still a top side in the world, Australia, no doubt, don’t possess the invincible aura they used to have in the past decade. While batting line-up still one of the best going around, it is the bowling, spin department, in particular, is the biggest problem Ausseis are facing.

Australia would want Clarke to evolve as a batsman and lead from the front as his predecessors have done to give their team a belief to conquer any frontier in the cricket. Observers will have a close look on Ponting’s batting performance as he still remains best batsmen in the side despite the fact age is not on his side.

Likes of Cameron White and Steven Smith in the middle order will be under immense pressure to score against Bangladesh spinners as duo has struggled against slow bowlers in the past.

With age Brett Lee is becoming a better bowler mixing up the things smartly with the ball and will leading the bowling unit which will have Mitchell Johnson, John Hastings and young Pattinson in its ranks. Australian pacers will have a tough job on hands on the Mirpur Pitch known for assisting spinners over the years.

Left arm spinner Xavier Doherty who was unlucky to miss out in world cup squad due to an injury might have a challenging things on hands of counter free flowing Bangladesh bating effort but tour to Bangladesh will be a good learning ex[presence for the man..

SQUAD

Michael Clarke (capt), Shane Watson, Brad Haddin (wk), Ricky Ponting, Cameron White, Mike Hussey, Callum Ferguson, Tim Paine (wk), Steve Smith, Mitchell Johnson, John Hastings, Brett Lee, Xavier Doherty, James Pattinson

Bangladesh

The home team which struggled to put good performances consistently in the world cup and had a early round exit will be boosted by the fact that one of their best players all-rounder Mashrefe Mortaza is finally fit to play after missing the tournament with an injury.

Skipper Shakib had a poor tournament as far standards set by him are concerned while explosive opener Tamim Iqbal didn’t set world cup on fire failing to put up a big innings together. Both star players will be eager to give home fans some better things to cheer about who were very disappointed with the team’s performance in the world cup.

As expected, three spinners will be there in the playing eleven who will come in the middle overs to stem the run flow in the middle overs and give the home team some breakthroughs. This is where real battle lies. It will be interesting how Aussie batsmen tackle Bangladesh spinners.

SQUAD

Shakib Al Hasan (capt), Tamim Iqbal (vice-capt), Mashrefe Mortaza, Imrul Kayes, Shahriyar Nafees, Raqibul Hasan, Alok Kapali, Shuvagoto Hom, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah, Abdur Razzak, Sohrawardi Shuvo, Rubel Hossian and Shafi-ul Islam