If you’re a casual cricket watcher in Australia, you might not have twigged that Bangladesh are a pretty good team these days. They win at home more often than not, and especially in 50-over cricket have won regularly on the road. By their standard, this World Cup has been dismal. One win early before Afghanistan built confidence, one win late when Sri Lanka were out of contention. In between, scores from 142 and 256, beaten easily five times in a row.
On form, then, even though the result could not affect the semi-final standings, it was a surprise Australia conceded as many as 306 in their final group game in Pune on Saturday. A potential hiccup was overridden when Mitchell Marsh brought to life the Marshmallow Man – a relentless, cheerful, monster of an innings that ploughed through everything in its path, reaching 177 not out in a sweet final explosion.
