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Is this the dawn of a new era for Australian cricket under a new captain? Look at the positives. Michael Clarke has won eight out of nine one-day internationals (ODIs) he has captained since 2011, beating England 6-1 in Australia and Bangladesh 2-0 (with one to come) in Bangladesh.
In the current series, skipper Clarke scored a century in the first ODI, and vice-captain Shane Watson a spectacular unbeaten 185 off 96 balls in the second.
It was scored at an astounding strike rate of 192.70, spiced up with 15 fours and 15 sixes.
Watching Watto smacking sixes was an uplifting experience. He did it so easily, like swatting annoying flies.
His 15 sixes in an innings is a record in all internationals.
In ODIs, he is three sixes ahead of West Indian Xavier Marshall, who skied 12 during his innings of 157 not out against Canada in King City in 2008.
The Pakistani “Boom Boom” Shahid Afridi and Sri Lankan Sanath Jayasuriya come next with 11 sixes each.
Before Watson, Matthew Hayden held the Australian record for the most in an ODI innings, with 10.
In Test cricket, Pakistan’s Wasim Akram has hit the most sixes, striking 12 during his unbeaten 257 off 363 balls against Zimbabwe at Shikhupura in 1996.
New Zealander Nathan Astle and Australia’s Matthew Hayden come next with 11, in 2002 and 2003 respectively.
In Twenty20 internationals, Chris Gayle holds the record with 10, during his sparkling 117 off 57 balls for the West Indies against South Africa during the ICC World T20 in 2007.
Thus Watson’s 15 sixes in an innings have broken all international records.
But is it the dawn of a new era for Australian cricket or a pipe dream?
Watson has been Australia’s most consistent batsman since 2009. But still he has not inspired his team to many victories. After all, his sky-writing yesterday in Mirpur was against a weak attack and he was lucky to receive two lives.
But Australians under Clarke appear more self-confident than they looked under Ricky Ponting from 2009 on.
Only time will tell.