Big picture
Bangladesh have already given this World Cup a couple of proper shake-ups, stretching England in Dharamsala and worrying South Africa in Visakhapatnam. They still sit outside the top four, though, and with only Australia, the seven-time champions, up next, the route to a semi-final place could hardly be tougher.
Australia, meanwhile, have been competent rather than convincing. Two early batting stumbles were rescued by a deep middle order, and even the win over India contained the odd anxious glance towards the dressing-room balcony. Alyssa Healy’s fast starts have helped, yet the collective fluency that usually defines an Australian top six remains just out of reach.
Key facts first
• Bangladesh must win to keep realistic hopes of a semi-final alive.
• Australia have won three on the bounce since their opening-day loss.
• Dew has been a factor under lights in Visakhapatnam; captains have preferred chasing.
Form guide (last five completed ODIs)
Australia W W W L W
Bangladesh L L L W L
Quotes corner
Annabel Sutherland insisted on the eve of the match that Australia possess variety with the ball. “Our bowling attack covers all bases,” she said, a line that neatly sums up the squad’s self-belief even while the batting unit irons out wrinkles.
Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana kept things simple: “If we do the basics well for 100 overs we give ourselves a chance.” Not flashy, but entirely on brand for a side that tends to scrap for every inch.
Players to watch
Marufa Akter has already produced one of the spells of the tournament, nipping the new ball around against England. Since then she has battled rhythm and length, and the coaching staff spent part of Tuesday’s optional session recreating match-day run-ups for her. Early movement remains Bangladesh’s best route into Australia’s line-up; Marufa will take the new ball again.
Phoebe Litchfield, 22 and still learning ODI tempo, impressed with a 40 against India – punchy drives square of the wicket, nimble footwork to the spinners – before falling just as the foundations were set. A flat Visakhapatnam pitch could allow the left-hander to turn that promise into something more substantial.
Conditions and pitch
The surface used for South Africa v Bangladesh offered decent pace early, then settled into a reliable, even-paced deck. Grounds staff expect similar behaviour on Thursday: plenty of runs, a touch for seamers under the lights, and dew from roughly the 25-over mark of the second innings.
Team news
Australia are unlikely to meddle with a winning XI. Megan Schutt, who sat out the India match as a precaution, bowled at full tilt in training but may again watch on if the medical team stays cautious. Same XI, same batting order, unless a late niggle intervenes.
Bangladesh considered a second specialist spinner but look set to stick with the attack that troubled South Africa – three seamers led by Marufa, leg-spinner Rabeya Khan and the off-spin of Salma Khatun for control through the middle.
Stats and trivia
• Australia have never lost an ODI to Bangladesh; the sides have met only twice.
• Healy needs 76 runs to become the sixth Australian to 5,000 women’s ODI runs.
• Bangladesh’s highest successful chase at a World Cup is 212 (v Sri Lanka, Paarl 2022).
Tactics board
If Bangladesh bat first, a par score probably needs to be 240-250 – something that allows the seamers two new balls in the night air without creating scoreboard paralysis. Expect Nigar to delay Rabeya until at least over 15, using Salma against the left-handers earlier.
Australia’s blueprint remains straightforward: Healy to attack in the powerplay, Ellyse Perry to anchor, then Sutherland, Beth Mooney and Ash Gardner to press turbo. The only wrinkle has been Mooney’s form – two single-figure scores – but the management emphasise process over numbers.
What they said
Bangladesh coach Hashan Tillakaratne, softly spoken as ever, said the group were “a defeat and a win away from something special. The margins in this competition are that narrow.”
Australia skipper Healy kept perspective: “We respect what Bangladesh can do. They nearly rolled England and South Africa. That’s loud enough warning.”
Prediction – if you must
Logic points to Australia extending their winning streak, yet Bangladesh have made a habit of staying in contests far longer than many assumed possible. A disciplined first 20 overs with ball or bat, and an upset remains more than theoretical.
Either way, it should be watchable.
