Australia have decided they would rather chase. At the toss in Mirpur, skipper Josh Inglis said, “We think there’s a bit in the surface early on, so we’ll bowl first.” A fairly simple call, yet it gives the tourists their preferred script for the opening match of this three-game series – the first bilateral ODI contest between these two sides since way back in 2011.
The headline selection is 23-year-old South Australian all-rounder Liam Scott, in for his maiden ODI. He slots in at No. 8, while left-hander Cooper Connolly has been bumped up to open alongside Matt Short. Australia’s bowling looks familiar: Nathan Ellis for variations at the death, Adam Zampa for control through the middle, with pace support from Xavier Bartlett. Matt Kuhnemann and Ollie Peake miss out after touring Pakistan.
Bangladesh, meanwhile, are sticking to what’s worked at home – three quicks and plenty of all-round options. Nahid Rana, fresh from three five-wicket hauls in as many recent series, shares the new ball with Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman. The surprise comes in the middle order where Mosaddek Hossain returns after almost four years out. Captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz simply noted, “Mosaddek’s experience is handy in these conditions.”
It should be a tight affair. Bangladesh have won nine of their last ten home ODIs; Australia arrive after a slightly scruffy series win in Pakistan but with the confidence that brings. The pitch looked dry yet tacky this morning, hinting at turn later on – hence Inglis’ decision to chase.
Playing XIs
Bangladesh: Tanzid Hasan, Saif Hassan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Tawhid Hridoy, Litton Das (wk), Mosaddek Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (c), Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Nahid Rana, Tanvir Islam.
Australia: Matt Short, Cooper Connolly, Josh Inglis (c/wk), Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Matthew Renshaw, Liam Scott, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa.
There’s plenty to watch: Scott’s first bowl, Connolly’s first crack at opening, and how Bangladesh’s seam trio exploit any early movement. And if the match goes the distance, Zampa against a clutch of left-handers could yet be the decisive duel.
