Bangladesh bowl up a target — Maxwell

GLENN Maxwell has called on Australia to take advantage of Bangladesh’s limited bowling attack and keep alive their Champions Trophy aspirations.

Tonight’s clash at The Oval (10.30 AEST) is a must-win match for Steve Smith’s side following Friday’s wash-out against New Zealand at Edgbaston. Defeat to the Tigers, who have lost 18 of 19 meetings between the nations since 1990, will leave Australia needing to beat England next Saturday and other results to go their way to reach the semi-finals.

Bangladesh were defeated in their opening match against England by eight wickets despite posting a decent score of 6-305.

“I think they batted quite well against England,” Maxwell said. “The biggest thing for them was because the wicket was so good they struggled to make inroads into England’s batting line-up.

“That is something we can maybe target. They haven’t got a big 145 (km/h) plus bowler or a trick spinner that some of the other teams maybe do and we can target that and go after them.”

Smith was critical of his seam bowlers after New Zealand got away to a strong start at Edgbaston before being dismissed for 291.

However, he once again chose not to throw the ball to Maxwell, who took four outfield catches.

Batsman Travis Head is now above Maxwell in the spinning pecking order and although the 28-year-old Maxwell wants to bowl, he has not taken the issue up with Smith, nor is he demanding to be given the ball in the field.

“I thought Heady did well, but I have been working hard on my bowling and hopefully I will get an opportunity at some stage,” Maxwell said.