Hussey stars in Aussie clean sweep

Kayes’ 93 goes in vain as Bangladesh suffer defeat in the final ODI.

DHAKA:

Michael Hussey scored his first one-day century in four years to help Australia complete a 3-0 clean sweep against Bangladesh with a 66-run win in the third and final match of the series.

The middle-order batsman cracked two sixes and nine fours in a 91-ball 108 for his third one-day hundred as Australia posted a mamoth 361 for eight. The left-hander, declared man-of-the-match, admitted that he was helped by favourable conditions.

“I was in a bit earlier than lot of my innings,” said Hussey. “It was such a good batting pitch that we could get the momentum going. There wasn’t much for the bowlers, not much spin, quite different from the first game.”

A steady start

Bangladesh made a bold reply before finishing at 295 for six, despite an impressive 93 from opener Imrul Kayes, who hit two sixes and 10 fours. Kayes batted confidently and looked set to complete his second one-day century before being caught behind off fast-bowler James Pattinson.

He put on 136 for the second wicket with Shahriar Nafees, who made 60. Mohammad Mahmudullah was the other notable contributor with an unbeaten 68.

Australia virtually wrapped up the match when Shane Watson dismissed Shakibal Hasan (nine) and Mushfiqur Rahim (one) in one over. The all-rounder earlier put Australia on course for a big total with 72, and adding 110 runs for the opening partnership with makeshift opener Ricky Ponting.

Hussey was then involved in two useful stands, adding 89 for the fourth wicket with Michael Clarke (47) and 70 for the sixth wicket with Mitchell Johnson, who hammered a quick fire 41.

Watson had begun aggressively, hitting Shafiul for four boundaries in an over before pulling left-arm spinner Shakib over mid-wicket for a six to reach his half-century. Ponting also played attractive shots during his 50-ball knock.

He looked well set before being trapped lbw by Abdur Razzak. Razzak finished with three for 58 and Mortaza with three for 80 as the Bangladesh bowlers struggled against a rampant batting line-up.

Shakib praises fighting spirit

Bangladesh captain Shakib was encouraged with his team’s fighting batting performance, but was concerned with his bowlers’ performance.

“We batted really well and executed our plans with the bat,” said Shakib. “We haven’t bowled well in the three games. It’s a learning process and we’ll learn from it. Every time you play a bigger team, you learn from them.”

Clarke was understandably delighted with his team’s performance and said that Ponting’s presence is making things easier for him as captain.

“I’m lucky that Ponting is in the team,” said Clarke. “As a young captain I need to keep learning.”

Published in The Express Tribune, April 14^th,  2011.