Mitchell Marsh and Steve Smith hold the rare distinction of being the only overseas pair to have represented both the Indian Premier League franchises from Pune. The duo marked its return to one of their homes away from home in style by helping Australia make a mockery of a target of 307 set by Bangladesh in their last Men’s World Cup league game.
Riding on the duo’s unbroken association of 175 runs — with Marsh’s mammoth hundred being the star act — Australia overhauled Bangladesh’s 306 for eight with more than five overs to spare and eight wickets in hand.
The victory — Australia’s seventh in a row — wasn’t enough for the five-time World champion to finish second in the league stage but will hold it in good stead going into Thursday’s semifinal against South Africa.
