Wed, 13 Apr 2011 - Bangladesh vs Australia, Australia Tour of Bangladesh 2011, 3rd Match - Bulletin

Australia clean sweeps Bangladesh

Australia completed the 3-0 clean sweep as they defeated Bangladesh by 66 runs in third and last ODI of the series after winning first two comfortably. While chasing a stiff target of 362 runs Bangladesh displayed one of its best batting efforts but to no avail as total proved too much for them.

All four top order batsmen of Bangladesh had good innings during the unsuccessful change with opener Imrul Kayes hitting a 95-ball 93 and Mahmudullah and Shahriyar Nafees scoring impressive half-centuries each.

In reply to the big score, Bangladesh openers rocketed 43 inside fifth with Tamim Iqbal cracking a 17-ball 32 including half a dozen fours and a six. Once he was gone, Kayes and Nafees gave the chase their best shot as they continued to hit the boundaries with Kayes taking the role of an aggressor.

It looked that Bangladesh might surprise Aussies but for a brief moment though as Australia clawed their way back taking wickets at the crucial junctures.

Kayes’s 93 included 10 fours and two sixes while Nafees was touch slow consuming 86 balls for his 60 as both put on 136 for the second wicket. Once they were separated with debutant James Pattinson removing Kayes, Bangladesh receded.

He was soon followed by Nafees in the hut and after his dismissal there was some fight from Mahmudullah who hit undefeated 68 off 61 balls but not enough to take his side home.’

For Australia, Mitchell Johnson and Shane Watson were the successful taking three and two wickets respectively.

Big Australian total was laid by the solid contributions from the top order including a century from Michael Hussey. Australia started their innings in an aggressive fashion with Shane Watson scoring 72 off just 42 balls that saw him hit eleven fours and two sixes.

He alongwith Ricky Ponting put on 110 for the opening partnership with Ponting playing a second fiddle but both lost their wickets to left arm spinner Abdur Razzak. Steven Smith promoted to number four didn’t do much and it was Hussey and skipper Clarke who forged another big stand to lay a strong platform for a big score.

Once Clarke was dismissed, Hussey took over as he plundered spinners and fast bowlers non-chalantly to bring his century on his way to 108 off 91 balls punctuated with nine hits to the fence and two six.

There was a late surge from the bat of Mitchell Johnson as he consumed only 24 balls for his 41 in which he hit four boundaries and two sixes while John Hastings also played a late cameo hitting 21 off nine.

Mashrefe Mortaza and Razzak were the most successful bowlers taking three wickets each in what was a tough game for bowlers.