http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 set Bangladesh huge target in third and final ODI at Dhaka
AUS 361/8 in 50 overs
Led by another brutal assault at the top of the innings by all-rounder Shane Watson, the Australians piled on the runs against beleaguered Bangladeshis in the third and final ODI being played at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka.
Watson pummelled three sixes and eleven fours in another brutal assault on the hapless hosts, who were clueless on how to stop his blazing bat, that was breathing fire from the outset.
He was eventually sent packing when he missed a straighter one from Abdur Razzak, for 72 runs off only 40 balls.
Ricky Ponting, who opened the innings with Watson, was playing second fiddle to his partner, who was toying with the bowling at the other end. After http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Watson-c96326’s departure, Ponting took on the onus of scoring runs.
However, the former captain was sent packing by a dubious umpiring decision after making 47 runs off 50 balls.
His innings was studded with 7 fours and 1 six, after the demolition at the top of the innings the Aussies dropped anchor, and left hander, Mike Hussey, manipulated the strike and kept the scoreboard ticking at the same time.
Hussey was the cornerstone of the innings in the latter half, as he played attacking shots whenever an opportunity arrived. Other than that, he was content on taking ones and twos.
Mitchell Johnson helped him up the tempo in the closing stages of the innings. The left handed all rounder scored 41 runs off 24 balls. Johnson’s innings was studded with 4 fours and 2 sixes.
Hussey reached a brilliant century at the end of the innings. He was eventually dismissed for 108 runs scored off 91 balls. “Mr. Cricket’s” effort was studded with 9 fours and a brace of sixes.
The Australians ended their stipulated overs at 361/8. John Hastings was the other major scorer at the end of the innings. The big hitting all-rounder made 21 runs off only 9 balls, and Hastings struck 3 fours and a six in his unbeaten effort.
The Bangladeshi batsmen would have to come out all guns blazing if they are to overhaul the target, which is set to be a severe test of their skills.
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