An injury cloud may have finally cleared for Michael Clarke but there was no budging the dark clouds over the Gabba for Australia’s World Cup clash with Bangladesh.
Australian captain Clarke’s long-awaited comeback from hamstring surgery has been postponed until next weekend’s crunch clash with co-hosts New Zealand at Auckland after Saturday’s showdown with the Tigers was abandoned without a ball being bowled.
There is now pressure on Australia to defeat the red-hot Kiwis, who thrashed England by eight wickets on Friday.
The match looks set to determine who tops Pool A, setting up a preferred quarter-final clash with Pakistan, Zimbabwe or Ireland.
However, a loss will all but book second spot in the pool and a less desirable quarter-final showdown with the unpredictable West Indies, reigning champions India or early favourites South Africa.
The washout ensures Australia will tackle the Kiwis next weekend with just one ODI under their belt in a fortnight - the 111-run win over England at the MCG last weekend.
But if Australian batsman Steve Smith was concerned, he hid it well after both teams shared a point for the washout.
“It was obviously disappointing not to get out there today,” he said.
“Sadly we can’t control the weather.
“But we will take that one point and hopefully continue to play some good cricket for the rest of the tournament.”
However, Bangladesh would have no complaints despite the frustrated profile cut by their skipper Mashrafe Mortaza at a sodden Gabba.
The no result ensures Bangladesh need just one boilover to clinch a quarter-final berth.
And they will be setting their sights on their March 9 pool clash in Adelaide against a sorry England.
The winless England face the prospect of missing out on the finals after dropping their first two games, albeit against the in-form Australia and Kiwis.
Bangladesh have won two of their last three games against England, including a stirring two-wicket 2011 World Cup triumph in India.
“We were really looking forward to playing at the Gabba - this is really disappointing,” Mortaza said.
“We are looking forward to playing Sri Lanka and England and to win against Scotland.”
Bangladesh next take on Sri Lanka at the MCG on Thursday. - AAP
