Australia – Bangladesh ODIs are a rarity. The difference of qualities between the two sides ensured they met in a completed match over two years ago during the World Cup tie in 2015. Unfortunately, it was a washed out game.
The weather forecast for the upcoming game at the Kennington Oval also isn’t bright with the prediction claiming light showers and thunderstorms. However, that remains a different cause of concern.
Monday’s game against Australia at Cardiff is a special moment for Bangladesh. 12 years ago, Bangladesh registered their only ODI win over Australia. The memories of the fabulous win will be re-visited by Mashrafe Mortaza when the two sides meet tomorrow.
“Yes, Cardiff – 12 years back,” he said with a smile of recollection at Bangladesh’s pre-match press conference. “Obviously, tomorrow is a new day and it has been a good memory for us. We are confident enough to play against them. We will try our level best.”
The veteran, who was then a 21-year-old, started the game with the wicket of the dangerous Adam Gilchrist. He dismissed him for a duck. Mortaza remembers the wicket brightly.
“I can remember only that I got Gilchrist out – and in the night time, we were driven in a limousine. It was a great memory for us, especially for me, in this team. That’s what I can remember. But the team has changed. The team is playing good cricket now. So let’s see what happens, the senior seamer recalls.”
Bangladesh had a bad start to their campaign, as England beat them comfortably in the opening game at the Kennington Oval. Bangladesh looked uber-confident in their approach and performed to their growing potential in the ODI format. Batting first, the Asian side posted a target of 305/6.
However, despite posting satisfying total, they were unable to defend it as the start trio of Alex Hales, Joe Root and skipper Eoin Morgan knocked down the target without much fuss.
“In our previous match, I thought we could defend 305 but we couldn’t get wickets in the middle period,” Mashrafe said. “Getting wickets really matters in cricket, so we definitely have to think about our combination. Since we could score 300-plus with eight batsmen, then why wouldn’t be able to do with seven batsmen? What can happen if we don’t play five bowlers, that is also in our mind.
“But one thing is clear, we have to score a large total. Normally 300 in one-day cricket is good enough, but with the [fielding restrictions] they have got now, and if the wicket is like this, you have to rethink it.”