Match Preview | M#2 | Australia v Bangladesh
Written By: Ritwika Dhar & Jeet Vachharajani
Date: 14-01-2023
Picture Courtesy: Cricket Queens
Match #2 will be between Australia and Bangladesh. These aren't two teams at polar opposites when it comes to strengths. While Australia enters this game as the favorites to win it, one shouldn't discount Bangladesh and their potential to cause an upset.
VENUE – Willowmoore Park, Benoni | TIME – 10:00 local/13:30 IST
There will be a total of 4 venues used for this tournament with 4 games on Day 1 being at Willowmoore Park which has 2 grounds that will be used. Generally, Benoni provides a belter of a wicket for the batters to munch on & we might just see that. One needs to be mindful that we are talking about U-19 cricket & hence, the scores will be on the lower side even on good batting decks.
AUSTRALIA: Australia comes on the back of a powerful performance in their 2nd warm-up game against South Africa and would be backing their pacers to again get the job done against the Bangladesh batting lineup.
PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR -
Lucy Hamilton: The very first name on the list for the Australia U-19s is Lucy Hamilton. The left-arm pacer generally takes the new ball and swings it with good control. She uses the round the wicket angle once the swing is gone & good luck to the batters because Hamilton is going to nail her yorkers! This isn't all that Hamilton has to offer. She is a left-handed batter who gives it a proper whack. She can dispatch the ball to both sides and clear the ropes with her power-hitting.
Milly Illingworth: The all-rounder has shades of Ellyse Perry with a few of the things. To no surprise, she hails from Perry's adopted state - Victoria. Illingworth has to be the quickest pacer that you will see in the upcoming tournament.
Ella Hayward: Hayward can bat, but her real value is with her off-spin bowling. She is quicker through the air & is accurate. While she got just one wicket in the Championship, I see a good chance why she could be a lot more destructive in the U-19 World Cup.
BANGLADESH: Bangladesh beat South Africa & then beat India in the warm-ups & the preparation doesn't get better than that. With a strong spin attack combined with the threatening pace of Marufa Akter, Bangladesh would be looking to topple Australia.
PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR -
Marufa Akter: Bangladesh has a very strong chance of progressing from the group stage and also getting a win or two in the Super Six. The name you'd see featured as a major contributor in those wins is going to be Marufa Akter. A right-arm pacer who nips the ball back in sharply at a decent pace. In her short T20I career so far, she has already taken the wickets of Sophie Devine, Lea Tahuhu, & another player in this tournament - Georgia Plimmer. She is one of the top 5 pacers to watch out for in this competition.
Shorna Akter: Shorna Akter is already making rounds with her impactful performances. None gained more attention than her 75* (54) against India which was a knock laced with 7x6s. The vice-captain is Bangladesh's most important batter in the upcoming tournament.
Disha Biswas: Captain Disha Biswas was rewarded for her performance against Malaysia with a national call-up after picking the most wickets (8) in the series. But the all-rounder has more to offer. She is a powerful striker of the ball and likes to use her feet against the spinners.
BATTLES TO WATCH OUT FOR -
1) Australian pacers v. Bangladesh batters - A team from the subcontinent generally has batters who are better players of spin than pace. Bangladesh is no exception to that. They will have a massive job to do against the Australian pacers and it won't be an easy task facing Hamilton, Illingworth, Rhys McKenna, Sianna Ginger, etc.
2) Marufa Akter v. Kate Pelle - The Australian opener has been in top form, but does not like full inswing deliveries. Bangladesh have a match-up in the form of Marufa Akter to utilize upfront & the bowler is likely to have the wood over Pelle.