Marsh Stars As Australia Beat Bangladesh By 8 Wickets In World Cup

Mitchell Marsh's career-best 177 not out was labelled "scary" by skipper Pat Cummins as Australia headed into next week's World Cup semi-finals with a convincing eight-wicket win over Banglade

Mitchell Marsh (Image Source: Google)

- 'Everything is clicking' -

Cummins, reflecting on Australia's progress in India, said: "Seven games in a row, even when we were not at our best in some of those games, we came away with a win.

"Chasing 300-plus was something we did not do earlier. It feels like everything is clicking together."

Bangladesh's 306-8, their highest total of the tournament, left Australia needing to surpass their record World Cup-winning chase of 292 against Afghanistan in Mumbai on Tuesday -- a match where Glenn Maxwell's stunning unbeaten 201 sealed an astounding three-wicket following a collapse to 91-7.

Maxwell was rested on Saturday, but Australia had no need of his heroics as they overpowered a Bangladesh attack missing captain Shakib Al Hasan after the all-rounder was ruled out with a broken finger.

"We did not play our best at the World Cup as a team, in both bowling and batting," said stand-in Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto.

Nasum Ahmed's 10 wicketless overs cost 85 runs, with this defeat leaving Bangladesh dependent on other results for a top-eight finish that would qualify them for the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan.

Australia lost Travis Head (10) early in their chase when he played on trying to slog Taskin Ahmed.

Warner plundered runs on an excellent batting pitch before the left-handed opener, following a 52-ball fifty, surprisingly chipped Mustafizur Rahman to Najmul at mid-off.

The powerful Marsh however, pressed on, pounding spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz for a six and a four before suffering cramp, although nothing as severe as the attack that afflicted Maxwell against Afghanistan.

Earlier, Towhid Hridoy's 74, his maiden World Cup fifty, was the cornerstone of Bangladesh's innings.

His 79-ball stay ended when he holed out off Marcus Stoinis, Hridoy's exit sparking a flurry of wickets.

Adam Zampa was the pick of Australia's attack with 2-32 as the leg-spinner became the leading bowler in the tournament with 22 wickets, while Marnus Labuschagne derailed the innings by running out the well-set Najmul (45) and Mahmudullah (32).

"The two run-outs were crucial," said Najmul. "The way we started was good but after the two run-outs, we lost momentum. If we scored 340-350, it could have been different."