Updated ,first published
Australia lost the one-day international series to Bangladesh after their top form failed to recover from an embarrassing 3-0 start in the second ODI in Dhaka.
On an excellent pitch prepared by Tony Hemming, a former member of the MCG ground staff, Tigers fast bowler Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman removed Matt Short (his third successive ODI duck), Cooper Connolly and Matt Renshaw before a no-ball to open Australia’s account.
Acting captain Josh Inglis and fellow wicket-keeper Alex Carey added 25 before Carey mistimed a short ball that was deflected back to leave the visitors staring down the possibility of their lowest ever finish against Bangladesh.
The current lowest is 5-198 from 50 overs in 2008, when Australia were restricted to 9-191 before rain reduced their line-up in a series-opening defeat.
Bangladesh, unfortunately, had each scored the lowest total of 14 in games between the two countries before Thursday’s game.
Short was hit on the shoulder by a ball that clipped his backside, before both Connolly and Renshaw’s deliveries moved away from them.
Inglis eventually got out for 34, Cameron Green scored 25 while fast bowler Xavier Bartlett dismissed most of the batsmen for 52 from 48 deliveries. When the rain delay ended with eight overs remaining, Australia were 8-187, with Marnus Labuschagne (55) and Nathan Ellis (2) at the crease.
There was nothing more frightening on the wicket than what anyone can expect in the early 50-overs matches.
Bangladesh scored 8-284 batting first on the same pitch as their 86-run win in the first game.
Australia had dropped all-rounder Liam Scott after the first game, calling up paceman Riley Meredith from the initial squad and allowing Marnus Labuschagne another slot at No.7.
Set a revised target of 192 in 41 overs under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method, Bangladesh recovered from early defeats through Soumya Sarkar and Najmul Hossain Shanto, who leveled the innings with 42 runs apiece.
After their departure, Mehidy Hasan Miraz anchored the run with the captain’s wicket, holding firm as wickets fell at the other end. He received support from Towhid Hridoy, as the pair guided home Bangladesh in 35 overs.
The result gave Bangladesh their first ODI series win against the six-time world champions.
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Daniel Brettig is the chief cricket correspondent of The Age and the author of several books on cricket.Connect through X.
