A ruthless Australian women’s cricket team has shown little mercy to Bangladesh, thumping the hosts by eight wickets to clean sweep their ODI series.
Already 2-0 up, Allyssa Healy won the toss at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Dhaka on Wednesday and had little hesitation in bowling.
Opening pair Kim Garth and Ellyse Perry dominated early, removing the top three batters – Fargana Hoque (5), Sumaiya Akter (0) and Murshida Khatun (8) – by the end of the eighth over with just 24 on the board.
The hosts never recovered and stumbled throughout the innings, losing wickets at regular intervals to be bowled out for 89 in 26.2 overs.
It could have been more embarrassing for the Bangladeshis though as Australia bowled 14 wides, helping extras finish top scorer with 20.
Wicketkeeper/skipper Nigar Sultana was next best with 16, which she made off 39 deliveries.
Garth claimed 3-11 in seven overs to claim the player-of-the match honours, while Ash Gardner (3-25), Perry (2-17) and Sophie Molineux (2-23) provided solid support.
Australia didn’t waste much time to knock off the paltry target with Healy (33 off 34 balls), Perry (27no) and Beth Mooney (21no) helping reach 2-93 in 18.3 overs.
The two wickets to fall were Healy – leg before to Rabeya Khatun – and Phoebe Litchfield, who was caught and bowled by Sultana Khatun for 12.
Gardner’s three-wicket haul earned her the player-of-the-series gong, given her exploits in the opening matches.
The spinner made 32 and took 3-22 in the first clash, while in the second claimed 2-22 and an undefeated 20. Gardner finished with 8-69 in the series.
Australia will now meet Bangladesh in three T20s, the first of which will be played on Sunday, March 31, and will be followed by matches on Tuesday, April 2 and Thursday, April 4.
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
Yes it was pretty weird. At least they mucked around with the order yesterday
JohnB
Roar Rookie
Have to ask re the final ODI - in a dead rubber against a seriously overmatched opponent who has form in getting out for around 100 - when most of your batters have had only one hit in the series and bowling first means most of them won't get a second, why wouldn't you bat first?
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
cheap runs on offer in the T20s, Wareham is pummelling them coming in at 3. but... Phoebe Litchfield - she really is stinking it up. can't buy a run in any format. surely due for a rest in the 3rd game?
Gamechanger
Roar Rookie
I understand it was her desire to play for Australia rather than being poached. It was also a matter of timing with Vlaminck’s injury. She took an opportunity given to her. She is an Australian citizen and if she is the best pick her. It happens all the time in Rugby.
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
Yes but poaching her - after she did the residency etc - has put a bit of a kybosh on the next generation coming through: Maybe schutter will be done soon But with Sutherland Perry and McGrath all serviceable at least with the ball, we probably aren’t going to see the fearsome Vlaeminck Brown Campbell or Flintoff attack that will shake the world for a fair while longer :(
Gamechanger
Roar Rookie
Kim Garth has turned out to be a real asset in terms of the Australian bowling stocks. She hits the wicket with pace and has a great outswinger. Even with the retirements of Lanning and Haynes it is still a world class team, although the batting isn’t as strong.