PUNE: Escape to victory lifts a team. There is no escaping this sports truism. But despite the stunning match-winning unbeaten double hundred by Glenn Maxwell, it will be hard to argue that the batter was in total control of his shots. Plus, Afghanistan had put them on the mat and only the inexperience and jangling nerves denied them a pathbreaking win.
When Australia play Bangladesh in their last league engagement of the World Cup at Gahunje in a 'day' game on Saturday, Pat Cummins’ mates will be a buoyed lot. Having sealed a semifinal date against South Africa in Kolkata on Nov 16, they cannot look too far ahead. They must remain mindful about the task at hand — of beating Bangladesh — but cannot totally ignore the desirability of winning big.
