Captain Clarke stars in impressive win

Michael Clarke kicked off his reign as captain on a winning note as his century helped Australia to a comfortable 60-run win over Bangladesh in the first one-dayer in Mirpur.
Michael Clarke kicked off his reign as captain on a winning note as his century helped Australia to a comfortable 60-run win over Bangladesh in the first one-dayer in Mirpur.
The 30-year-old led from the front with the bat as his 101 from 111 balls pushed Australia to 270 for seven in their 50 overs. The target proved to be too steep for Bangladesh as they could only manage 210 for five in response.
Clarke, whose innings including six boundaries and two sixes, was the mainstay of the Australian innings as the rest of the batsmen failed to dig in. After being asked to bat first by Bangladesh captain Shakib Al-Hasan, Shane Watson (37), Ricky Ponting (34), Cameron White (20) and Michael Hussey (33) all had starts but couldn't kick on.
Left-arm spinner Suhrawadi Shuvo did most of the damage with three for 44 in the middle overs but it was fit-again fast bowler Marshafe Mortaza who gave the hosts the initial breakthrough as Brad Haddin's march down the track ended in him marching back to the dressing room for 10 after he failed to spot a slower ball.
Ponting and Watson followed in quick succession; the former was run out after a mix-up while Watson was trapped lbw by Abdur Razzak.
Australia were wobbling at 138 for four when White holed out a Shuvo delivery to long-on and it was left to Clarke and Hussey to put them back on track. Their 84-run stand pushed Australia past the 200-run mark but Shuvo once again gave the Tigers a sniff as he removed Hussey and Steven Smith in the same over.
However, Mitchell Johnson and Clarke provided some lusty blows in the final few overs to push the hosts to a commanding 270 which proved to be out of Bangladesh's reach in the end.
The hosts' reply got off to a disastrous as they lost Imrul Kayes, Shahriar Nafees and Raqibul Hasan cheaply.
Tamim Iqbal (62) and Shakib Al-Hasan (51) gave Bangladesh a glimmer hope with a 67-run partnership but they failed to score quick enough to keep their side in the match. The match was already over by the time Shakib skied a Smith delivery to long-on in the 42nd over.
Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah added some respectability to the score with an unbeaten 61-run stand, but they fell short by 60 runs in the end.
Latest
-
News
What next for England following the Test series defeat to India?
The tourists head straight into the white-ball leg of the tour which begins this week.
-
News
Chris Silverwood admits Jofra Archer elbow problem may need long term management
The England fast bowler was unavailable for the second and fourth Tests of the series against India due to pain in his right elbow.
-
News
How England’s players rated in their Test series against India
See how the England players rated during the series defeat.
-
News
England storm to T20 series whitewash over New Zealand
Wicketkeeper Amy Jones completed three stumpings and Katherine Brunt took two for 19 in England’s 32-run victory.
-
News
Joe Root promises England will learn lessons from India rout
An innings defeat in Ahmedabad rounded off a 3-1 series loss.
-
News
India v England, day 3: Tourists left in a spin once again as series slips away
Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel continued their outright domination of England and helped seal a 3-1 series win.
-
News
England left to lick their wounds as India condemn them to another defeat
Joe Root’s men had no answers.
-
News
More woe for England as India’s spin twins push hosts towards series victory
Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel claimed three wickets each as the tourists slumped to 91 for six at tea.
-
News
England’s top order crumble once again as India take a firm grip on fourth Test
The tourists were reduced to 30 for four having conceded a first-innings lead of 160.
-
News
India extends lead to 160 on third morning in Ahmedabad
While Washington Sundar was stranded on 96 not out, the hosts increased the pressure on England in the fourth Test.