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Rediff.com  » Cricket » Images: Australia vs Bangladesh
This article was first published 13 years ago

Images: Australia vs Bangladesh

Last updated on: May 6, 2010 09:43 IST

Image: Michael Clarke plays a shot
Photographs: Reuters

After Michael Clarke won the toss and elected to bat first, Australia were off to a poor start, losing Shane Watson in the third over.

Mashrafe Mortaza, who had bowled a great first over, picked up Watson, who was hustled by a short delivery and was neatly taken by Aftab Ahmed for just four runs.

David Warner at the other end, started off in his usual fashion, hitting a six and a boundary off Shafiful Islam.

But Warner too was back in the hut, when Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan induced a false stroke from the left-hander and was caught in the deep by Aftab.

Aussie skipper relieved the pressure a bit by hitting Shakib for a maximum in the same over.

Spinners take control

Image: Cameron White is clean bowled by Shakib

However, spin form both end, meant that scoring was tough for Australia and lost wickets at regular intervals.

Brad Haddin, who was scratchy in the middle, played a rash shot and was caught at square leg by Shafiful Islam off left-arm spinner Abdur Razzaq.

Shakib then introduced part-time spinner Mohammad Ashraful and he obliged by picking the big wicket of Clarke, who tried to hit his way out of the pressure, and was caught at long off by Jahurul Islam for 16.

Ashraful could have picked have another wicket that off David Hussey had Jahurul not dropped a dolly at long off. However the all-rounder couldn't contribute much as he edged one to Mushfiqur Rahim, off Mortaza.

And when Shakib cleaned up Cameron White, Australia were reeling at 66 for six at the end of 13 overs.

Michael Hussey lifts Australia

Image: Michael Hussey plays a sweep shot

With the chips down, Michael Hussey produced yet another innings and along with Steven Smith, revived the innings.

The duo played sensibly, scoring ones and twos initially, before opening up in the final five overs to take Australia to a fighting total.

Michael Hussey took the onus on him to guide the Australia innings and stepped up the tempo with a 17-run over off Mortaza. He hit as many as four fours and six during his 29-ball unbeaten stay.

Smith too was not far behind as he used his long handle to great affect in the dying stages to register two sixes and a boundary against his name.

The duo shared 74 crucial runs for the seventh wicket, which meant that Australia finish at a respectable 141 for 7 in 20 overs.

Nannes blows Bangladesh away

Image: Mashrafe Mortaza is clean bowled by Ryan Harris

Needing a outright win, inside 19 overs, to book a place in the Super Eight stage, Bangladesh did not help their cause in any way by playing rash shots against some fine pace bowling and were tottering at 15 for four in just 3.5 overs.

Shain Tait and Dirk Nannes tested the Bangladeshi batters from the onset with their fiery and high quality fast bowling.

Nannes was the quickest of the duo as he picked up Mohammad Ashraful, Aftab Ahmed and Mahmudullah in his three-over opening spell before returning to account for the wicket Jahurul Islam.

Inspite of the early jitters, Shakib and Mushfiqur put up a brave fight during their the fifth wicket to keep Bangladesh in the hunt.

Shakib's innings was finally cut short by a blinder of a catch at deep by Michael Hussey off Smith.

Jahurul and Shafiul Islam tried their level best to dig something out of the game but it was not Bangladesh's day as Australia eventually romped home with eight balls to spare.