The 2023 ICC Men’s World Cup group stage is coming to a close, with Australia and Bangladesh set to face off in their final respective group matches.
The Aussies are locked in for a semi-final berth, but Bangladesh are no hope of progressing so this encounter has low stakes for both sides.
Draftstars has put up $6,000 for the main contest, so check out our full preview with fantasy tips below.
2023 ICC Men’s ODI World Cup Fantasy Tips
Australia vs Bangladesh
Australia Predicted XI: David Warner, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Marcus Stoinis, Pat Cummins, Sean Abbott, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa
Bangladesh Predicted XI: Tanzid Hasan, Liton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur Rahim, Anamul Haque, Towhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam
Australia are going from strength to strength as they chase more World Cup glory, and their win against Afghanistan earlier in the week was one of the most miraculous in ODI history. All seemed lost when the Aussies sunk to 7/91 chasing 291, but like a phoenix from the ashes Glenn Maxwell rose above all to play the innings of his life, belting 201* off 128 balls to guide his country home. Ably assisted by Pat Cummins (12* off 68), Maxwell conquered both the Afghanistan bowling attack and debilitating muscle cramps to make an almost impossible chase look incredibly easy. With a seventh consecutive win banked, Australia are now guaranteed to progress to the knockout phase of the tournament, and the only team that carries better form than them right now is India. With that in mind, this final group game against Bangladesh will be about preparing the squad for a cutthroat semi-final, so some squad rotation and player preservation is likely. I’m tipping Sean Abbott to receive a call up, while Maxwell may be rested after his herculean efforts against Afghanistan.
Like Australia, Bangladesh have little to play for on Saturday, with the Lions already out of the running for a top four position. It’s been a tough tournament for the men in red and green – Bangladesh have won just two games, and can only finish seventh at best. Some positives can be taken from the two victories, the most recent of which came against Sri Lanka. Mahmudullah (90) and Shakib Al Hasan (82 off 65) starred as the Lions pipped Sri Lanka by three wickets, in a match marred the controversy incurred when Angelo Mathews was dismissed ‘Timed Out’ – the first dismissal of its kind on the international stage. Nevertheless, it was a strong performance from Bangladesh, and one that they will try to replicate against Australia. Unfortunately, one of the heroes from that night – Shakib – has been forced to fly home with a finger injury, leaving a massive hole in the XI.
Draftstars Tips
Love It – Pat Cummins $16,100
The Aussie skipper has had a solid tournament, taking 10 wickets to average 57 DFS points. While some rotation is likely for this final fixture, Cummins is a lock to play and he should feast on a Bangladesh batting line-up that has been bowled out more often than not. Furthermore, Cummins has showed some glimpses of brilliance with the bat, adding to his fantasy appeal.
Love It- Sean Abbott $11,300
This is a big IF, but if Abbott plays he is almost a must-have on this slate. The crafty quick has not featured at all in this tournament, but I expect him to play on Saturday and share in the many wickets that Australia are likely to take. For reference, the next cheapest Aussie bowler is Josh Hazlewood at nearly $14k, and Abbott has more ability with the bat than any of the frontline bowlers.
Don’t Love It- Tanzid Hasan $11,300
Young opener Tanzid Hasan has struggled in this World Cup, passing 20 in just 1/8 innings. The challenge doesn’t get any easier on Saturday, with Australia boasting a high quality bowling attack, so I struggle to see how Hasan could come out and play a blinder here. There are plenty of value options on this slate - look elsewhere.
Don’t Love It- Shoriful Islam $12,500
Islam has had a mixed tournament, averaging 32 DFS points with a high score of 81. The young left-arm quick has taken 10 wickets, like Cummins, but that’s where the similarities end. Australia’s dynamic opening batting pair will no doubt go after Islam, and I can’t see him winning that battle.
Who Knows- Glenn Maxwell $19,800
Perhaps its unfair to put Maxwell in this category, but after the performance of a lifetime, it’s hard to know what to expect from Maxwell in this dead rubber. Maxwell’s 400-point effort ended in him suffering severe full body cramps, so the first question is whether he will play against Bangladesh. If Maxwell does feature, it’s unlikely he will replicate his 201* from the other night, but there are plenty of ways for him to achieve value at sub-$20k.
Suggested Draftstars Lineup
