Australia finish off Bangladesh

Sep 6 2008

Australia defended a below-par total to complete a 3-0 whitewash over Bangladesh with a 73-run win in the final one-day international in Darwin.

Bangladesh restricted their hosts to 198 for five but were unable to push for victory after a middle-order collapse saw them slump to 125 for nine.

With Shahadat Hossain unable to bat after splitting his finger in the field, that proved enough for Australia to complete a comfortable series victory.

Bangladesh were in trouble from early on after Junaid Siddique succumbed for nought to Stuart Clark in the second over.

Tamim Iqbal offered defiance with 63 - his country's first ODI half-century in Australia - but he lacked support to engineer a revival, aside from a 60-run stand with Shakib al Hasan.

Al Hasan hit 27 before falling to James Hopes, the pick of the bowlers with three for 27.

Michael Hussey top-scored for Australia with 57 not out after putting on 48 with Cameron White, who finished unbeaten on 22 from 24 balls.

Their unbroken sixth-wicket stand lifted the Aussies after Shane Watson, Michael Clarke and David Hussey were all run out looking to push quick singles.