We’ve got ourselves from nine to number eight (in the ODI rankings) and our brand of cricket has changed.
Both Australia and Bangladesh are desperate to win the game. “We´ve got a completely new team, pretty much”, said Morgan.
“But I think it´s completely different now – two years down the line”.
Their frustration at the Oval was perhaps amplified given they appeared just four more overs away from securing an all-important two points. It had started to rain, though, towards the end of the Bangladesh innings and when the players walked off for the innings break.
Although the Bangladesh innings finished early, at around 4.40 pm, play couldn’t restart until 5.30 pm due to drizzle during the interval.
“For us, it is about winning every game and obviously, we’re disappointed that the weather played its role”.
Ably supported by Smith, Australia got themselves into prime position, before the rain intervened. On being asked about the comparison between Australia and England, Mortaza said, “Both the teams have brilliant pace attack were effective with the ball but I feel with more pace and controlled length, Australian bowling attack was better, as we saw Starc picking up four straight wickets in his spell”.
“The umpires are there to make a decision”. Bangladesh got off to a slow start and just when they were contemplating to shift gears, Soumya Sarkar departed for 3, Imrul Kayes followed pursuit he went for 6 and Bangladesh were reeling at 37 for 2 when captain Mushfiqur Rahim joined Tamim Iqbal, who was well-set.
With heavy rain forecasted, Australia were expected to race out of the blocks but David Warner and Aaron Finch showed restraint to reach 40 unbeaten after seven overs. The New Zealand game was my first game in three months.
Bangladesh, meanwhile, were let down by poor bowling in the tournament opener against hosts England altough the batsmen were in good form.
Tamim Iqbal’s 95 was the highlight for Bangladesh, who are winless and face New Zealand in their final group tie. Australia are now second in the group with two points from as many matches.
“We can’t let that dictate the way we play – we still have to go out and do our thing, be aggressive and take it to the opposition”, he said.
Furthermore, with Australia missing out on the semi-finals in the last edition of the Champions Trophy in 2013, Starc admitted that it will spur his side on to avoid suffering the same fate this time around. Smith’s side needed a revised target of 235 to win in 33 overs after Kane Williamson hit a century in New Zealand’s 291 all out.