Australia v Bangladesh: World Cup betting preview, tips and TV details

TV: Sky Sports Cricket / Main Event, 10.30am Thursday

Trent Bridge, Nottingham

Bangladesh have emerged as the most likely side to unsettle the established big four and they can send shockwaves through the World Cup by overcoming Australia at Trent Bridge.

Aaron Finch's men, along with England, India and New Zealand, are expected to make the semi-finals but Bangladesh's performances in the tournament suggest it may not be the foregone conclusion many deem it to be.

The Tigers claimed the scalps of the Windies and South Africa either side of admirable displays against title contenders New Zealand and England.

Mashrafe Mortaza's men will be targeting games with Afghanistan and Pakistan as their best chances of maximum points but a result against Australia in Nottingham beforehand could make for an intriguing conclusion to the group phase.

Best bets

Australia have won four of their opening five assignments at the World Cup but they are not without their weaknesses.

Their top-order wobbled against the Windies as they were reduced to 38-4 and then 79-5 only for an uncharacteristic 60-ball 92 from Nathan Coulter-Nile to bail them out.

They scored slowly in a 36-run defeat to India and often look short of ideas with the ball beyond their ruthless pace attack.

Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins have taken 24 wickets between them in the tournament but the team are in desperate need of spinners to mop up in the middle-overs.

Kane Richardson is their next highest wicket-taker with five scalps and Coulter-Nile has taken only two, which has intensified the pressure on Glenn Maxwell and even Finch to work magic with the ball.

Bangladesh have demonstrated an ability to bat deep in the tournament and punished the West Indies for their lack of variation last time out when Shakib Al Hasan (124 not out), Liton Das (94 not out) and Tamim Iqbal (48) all posted good scores.

They are capable of doing the same against the Aussies and the world's top-ranked all-rounder Al Hasan adds to an improving bowling attack who gave New Zealand a scare at the Oval.

Bangladesh know David Warner and Finch are dangerous openers but Steve Smith has been solid this tournament, scoring 69 against India, 73 against Sri Lanka and 73 against the West Indies at Trent Bridge.

While Bangladesh are the value bet to win the game, backing Smith to score a consolation total of 44 runs or more looks another good wager.

Recommendations
Bangladesh
1pt 9-2 general
S Smith to score 44 runs or more
1pt 5-6 Coral

Team news
Australia
Left-arm spinner Ashton Agar has been training with the team and could come in, while Marcus Stoinis should overcome a side strain to return along with Coulter-Nile.

Bangladesh
Liton Das should retain his place.

Venue
Trent Bridge played host to England's only defeat at the World Cup as both they and Pakistan put on totals of over 330 runs before Australia were 15-run victors over the Windies in Nottingham.

Weather
Light showers and gentle breeze expected with highs of 18C.

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