Shane Watson named Man of the Series as Australia complete whitewash over Bangladesh
Australia have completed a 3-0 clean sweep against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bangladesh-c747 with another convincing victory over the hosts in the third One Day International (ODI) played at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium, on Wednesday, April 13.
Michael http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120, who was appointed Australia’s new captain after Australia lost their World Champion tag after 12 years, was delighted with the performance of his team.
Batting first, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 posted a massive total of 361, helped mainly by Michael Hussey’s 3rd ODI century and some impressive stroke play at the top order by Shane Watson, who continued his impressive form in this tour.
Watson and Ponting posted 110 for the first wicket partnership and it looks as though Australia have found a new opening pair. The former captain looked more relaxed while batting and showed the selectors that he can still be a part of the ODI squad.
Chasing 362 for victory, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bengal-c771 Tigers a flying start with 32 runs off just 17 balls, before getting bowled by Mitchell Johnson. The hosts carried on with their strong start and gave the 4-time World Champions a tough challenge.
After 30 overs, Bangladesh were 179-1 and a possible upset looked well on the cards. Clarke needed a response from his bowlers and it came in the shape of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/James-Pattinson-c1653, who was making his ODI debut in Mirpur. His first ODI wicket was a crucial one as
he got rid of a well settled http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Imrul-Kayes-c1589 on 93.
Kayes’s dismissal proved to be the turning point of the match as the rest of the batting order struggled to cope with the creeping run-rate. Then it was Shane Watson’s turn to shine, with the ball as well, as he dismissed two batsmen in one over to end Bangladesh’s
strong fight.
The hosts might have wondered that if they had batted like this in the previous two games, the outcome of the series could have been different. For Australia however, it was a much needed series victory as they were looking to put behind the disappointment
of a poor World Cup campaign.
Michael Hussey was named Man of the Match of the final ODI whereas Shane Watson clinched the Player of the Series award. Watson’s performance included an emphatic innings of 185 runs from 96 deliveries, in the second ODI, in which the Australian hammered
15 sixes; a new world record.
Tags: