MCA Stadium, Pune Pitch Report & Weather Forecast for AUS vs BAN ICC ODI World Cup 2023 Match 43

Add as a preferred source on Google

MCA Stadium in Pune will stage it's fifth and final match of the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023 on Saturday (November 11) when record five-time champions Australia take on Bangladesh in match 43 of the tournament.

Australia led by Pat Cummins come into the match on the back of six wins and two losses in the ongoing show-piece tournament, while Najmul Hossain Shanto-led Bangladesh head into the match with two wins and six defeats so far.

Australia pulled off a 292-run chase from 91/7 against Afghanistan at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, where the ball moved under lights, while Bangladesh chased down 280 against Sri Lanka with a little ease on a batting friendly surface at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.

Now, the two sides are set to clash on a surface that is going to favour the batters, but is expected to assist some disciplined bowling as well, especially the new ball bowlers and the spinners in the middle overs.

Weather has not interrupted Bangladesh's matches so far in the World Cup, but one of Australia's game was interrupted by rain without much effect to the result. There has been no interruptions so far in Pune, where there has been rain in the past few days.

While there is slight threat of rain, the heat in the afternoon could also play a factor. So, how will the weather and pitch conditions be for AUS vs BAN clash in Pune? Will rain or any other weather condition play spoilsport? Will dew be a factor in the match?

With some parts of India, including Pune witnessing showers due to the retreating monsoon, here is a look at the Pune weather forecast and the MCA Stadium pitch report for AUS vs BAN 43rd ICC World Cup 2023 match:

Pune Weather Forecast on November 11

There has been rain in Pune in the lead up to the match, but on Saturday (November 11), there is no big chance of showers. As per AccuWeather, it is expected to be a nice day with temperatures fluctuating between 26-32° C during the match. So, expect a game without any interruption.

Also, dew is unlikely to have an impact in the games in Pune, meaning the team chasing is not going to have an extra advantage. But, how is the Pune wicket going to play after two games already being at the venue?

MCA Stadium pitch report for AUS vs BAN World Cup match

Four of the 11 pitches, all prepared using black soil, are being selected by the ICC to be used for the 5 World Cup 2023 matches at the MCA Stadium in Pune, where three matches of the ongoing tournament have seen a mixture of performances.

The pitch used in the first match of the World Cup saw India cruise to the target before Bangladesh struggled to post a challenging total despite a decent start from the openers. The Indian bowling applied a stranglehold in the middle overs and also controlled most part of the death overs.

In the second match, all round bowling led by left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi's four-wicket haul restricted Sri Lanka to a below par 241 before trio of fifties saw Afghanistan ease to the target with 4.4 overs to spare.

In the third match, South Africa posted 357/4 before the bowling unit led by spinner Keshav Maharaj clicked to bundle out New Zealand for 167 in 35.3 overs on a wicket that was easier to bat on in the early stages.

In the most recent match, England rode on Ben Stokes century to set a target of 340 before spin duo of Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid picked three wickets each to bundle out Netherlands for 179 to seal a 160-run win.

7 of the 11 previous ODI matches at the venue have seen teams post over 300 runs when batting first. Even the teams chasing have posted over 300 in three of the eleven innings so far, showing the batting friendly nature of the pitches in Pune. The average first innings score at the venue in 304.

The teams batting first have had the edge over teams chasing at this venue. However, the captains may be tempted to bowl first due to a morning start as opposed to an afternoon start.