A fighting century has made Michael Clarke the star of his first international match as Australia’s fulltime captain – a big win over Bangladesh.
Clarke’s 101 from 110 balls in draining heat and humidity underpinned Australia’s 7-270, with the home side managing just 5-210 in reply in Saturday’s one-day international in front of a large, exuberant Dhaka crowd.
Bangladesh’s chase was an uphill battle once Australian quicks Brett Lee and Mitchell Johnson (1-23 from eight overs) both struck early to have the hosts 2-9 from four overs.
Vice-captain Tamim Iqbal (62 from 89 balls) and captain Shakib Al Hasan (51 off 90) put on a 67-run fourth-wicket stand in the middle overs, but lacked the urgency needed to limit the ballooning required run-rate.
When they finally attacked, Iqbal fell to spinner Xavier Doherty in the 30th over, leaving his side with no hope.
New skipper Clarke rotated his bowlers frequently in the heat, using seven in all, including giving Cameron White his first bowl in 58 one-dayers, although for just one over.
Earlier, after calling pre-match for an Australian top-order batsman to produce a big innings, Clarke answered his own demand.
While others wasted good starts, Clarke battled hard then clinched his ton with a six on the third-last ball of Australia’s innings, pumping his fist in triumph.
Australia had been under pressure at 4-138 in their 30th over when an out-of-form White (20 from 50 balls) fell.
Former captain Ricky Ponting, run out for 34 from 31 balls, and opener Shane Watson (37 from 32 balls) had failed to capitalise on blazing starts.
Clarke and Mike Hussey (33 from 51 balls) compiled a well-paced 84-run stand, before big hitting from Johnson (26 from 13 balls) boosted the total.
The two sides meet again on Monday and Wednesday.
Clarke said the result trumped his personal performance.
“Any time you make a hundred is very nice. More satisfying for me is the way we played today,” he said.
“We played some really good one-day cricket and to get a result like we did, I’m very satisfied.”
Clarke said he would have liked other batsmen to make more of their starts and was glad he was able to capitalise.
He also said he was surprised Bangladesh did not chase more aggressively, given they finished with wickets in hand.
Shakib conceded his side could have upped the aggression, but said more critical was their failure to reel in Australia’s batting in the late overs, which probably cost them about 20 runs.
“When they scored 270 on that wicket, it was really hard for us to chase it down, he said.
jamesb
Guest
2nd One Dayer Bangladesh 7/229 Australia 1/ 232 Australia wins by 9 wickets with 24 overs to spare Shane Watson 185 runs off 96 balls! 15 (4s) and 15 (6s)
AusvsBan
Guest
This is a good practice tour for Aus to gel with their new permanent skipper. Bangladesh...are a terrible ODI side to be honest. Anything short of a massive hammering in all 3 games would be a disappointment for me.
jameswm
Guest
Credit where credit's due. Clarke did well. I wouldn't have had him as captain of the test team (not yet anyway), but I would have for the ODIs. I have ato agree that: - White is incredibly lucky to be there - Bangers are a decent team at home - why is this series being played now?
amazonfan
Roar Guru
I agree with you about Bangladesh deserving a home series against Australia, but to call sports like Australian Football and League (AFL isn't a sport) 'bogan, inbred' is absurd, offensive and ignorant.
Bayman
Guest
Given the World Cup was only a week ago I do wonder why this series is being played at all - obligations to Bangladeshi cricket aside. On the upside, at least the team won and the new captain established his credentials with a ton. Next best 37, however, was a bit of a worry given the opposition. Interesting to see the old captain being run out, yet again. For a guy in appalling form he does seem to go out of his way to throw his wicket away. Perhaps Michael could remind Ricky that, at 36, he's not as quick as he used to be - Tim should probably do it but I've long given up on Tim. Of course, maybe Ricky just doesn't rate opposition fieldsmen but given their success against him in the past few years you'd think a little more respect may be forthcoming. As for Cameron White, I'm still waiting. Looking forward though to a seriously delayed episode of "coming good".
Fool
Guest
Who did they play? Bangladesh is on a par with the associate nations. Literally it is like kicking a drunken dwarf off a bar stool. Not even worth talking about. This tour is about our obligations to cricket and developing the sport in Bangladesh. It will take them another generation before they start to become reasonable, like what happened with Sri Lanka.
Lily
Roar Rookie
Haha! Well said! I bet Michael Clarke was thinking this after he scored the ton :P
Republican
Guest
This Ozzie outfit are very ordinary indeed. I mean, Bangladesh are hardly a world force in the game of Cricket yet they looked positively competitive v our mob. I believe this performance justifies the tour given Australia on going slide to minnow status.
The Bush
Roar Guru
I don't think that was quite the point of the post, but I can see your side of the argument... Bangladesh did just co-host a World Cup. You can't really say they haven't had a good run of international matches of late. As fisher highlights above, maybe some Tests would have been more worthwhile, rather than playing yet more ODIs...
The Bush
Roar Guru
amused, I find your use of capital letters solely for Michael Clarke's name to be very witty!
The Bush
Roar Guru
"Bangladesh are a decent team at home." Must be why they managed to qualify for the Quater-Finals of the World Cup playing every game at home...
fisher price
Guest
And furthermore, they should be playing Tests too.
amused
Guest
In a fighting century newly minted captain michael clarke scored 112 against the kogarah unders 12s side. Michael Clarke said in an interview, "Michael Clarke is all class, Michael Clarke is the best player australia has and I can see him scroing at least another 100 against next weeks opponents,the cronulla under 10 girls side"
Vim
Guest
There is nothing in this article even mentioning Smith. You appear to be getting worked up over something that isn't there.
Al from ctown
Guest
Atleast Clarke is winning with the average bowlers we have in the side... And Cameron white... How he is captain of 20/20's I'll never know... Give some of the young nsw bowlers a shot! Smith isn't ready, hussey can't carry us forever. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Brendon
Guest
Yes, how dare Bangladesh have teams tour there. Your attitude, and many here on theroar, stinks of the arrogant wankerism that is strife in Australian sport. We've been brought up on bogan, inbred sports like AFL and League and think the whole god damn sporting world revolves around us. It doesn't. If you don't care, fine, but let the Bangladeshi fans enjoy a home series against Australia.
Brendon
Guest
Bangladesh are a decent team at home. Players like Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan would walk straight into the Australian team. To even compare Steve Smith to Al Hasan is an insult. Al Hasan is a vastly superior player.
Talisman
Guest
A win, yes - but Carke aside next top score 37. White again wasted 50 balls to get 20 runs (what is he doing in the side?). And again we could only take 5 wickets. This against Bangladesh!! This team isn't going anywhere.
Guy Smiley
Roar Pro
Do these guys ever stop playing? The ICC must be pretty desperate to keep pushing these kind of tours.