Smith urges Aussies to step on the gas

ment, which features the world’s top eight one-day teams, with an eightwicket win over Bangladesh at The Oval on Thursday.

Smith acknowledged his team now have to win their remaining group matches if they are to advance to the semifinals.

“It’s obviously not ideal for both sides to have a washout. So for us now it’s just about making sure that we’re playing each game like a final and winning the next two,” Smith said.

“It’s a pretty quick tournament. So you can’t really afford a washout or a loss. You’ve got to turn it around quickly now and control what you can control.”

While Australia will be expected to take maximum points against Bangladesh at The Oval, history suggests Smith’s side shouldn’t underestimate their unheralded opponents.

Australia were the victims of one of the all-time great upsets when Bangladesh beat them by five wickets in a one-day international in Cardiff in 2005.

For Australia to avoid another epic embarrassment, Smith needs far more accurate and penetrating spells from his bowlers.

Josh Hazlewood took six wickets against New Zealand, but fellow quicks Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins were much less impressive, managing just one wicket between them.

Smith was frustrated with the sloppy bowling, but he refused to reveal whether he would make changes to the line-up to face Bangladesh.

Bangladesh’s failure to defend their solid score of 305 against England leaves them facing a daunting task if they are to advance.

England chased down that target with ease and Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza called on his bowlers to tighten up against Australia.

Mortaza also conceded Bangladesh must be more ruthless when they have a chance to kill off opponents. “The batters can respond themselves a little bit better,” he said. “With eight batters, we are in a great position to score 330, 340. But we lost too many wickets in the late order.” – AFP