Related Links : Aus in Bangladesh : Scorecard
Twenty one-year-old debutant Mark James Cosgrove entered the international arena today and walked off with the man of the match award as his scintillating knock of 74 helped Australia to win the 3rd and final ODI at Fatullah by 9 wickets. It was a power packed innings from the strong young left hander who smashed 7 fours and 2 sixes before getting out with Australia needing just 2 runs to win. Simon Katich was a spectator to Cosgrove’s power hitting and the former collected 42 runs to see Australia home along with Hogg. Australia took just under 23 overs to reach 125 which was the target set up by Bangladesh who batted first after electing to bat first.
Mark Cosgrove was in a murderous mood using his feet often to the Bangladesh spinners and lofting them with lots of power. Rajin Saleh was hammered for two sixes over long off by this strong lad. Katich showed aggression in bits and he did well to remain not out. Cosgrove would be disappointed to get out when he could have so easily remained not out. He got bowled looking to heave Razzak to the mid wicket region for the winning runs.
This easy win for the Aussies was set up by their bowlers who bundled out the homeside for just 124. Except for Rajin Saleh’s scratchy knock of 37 and Skipper Habibul Bashar’s neat knock of 33, Bangladesh batting performed miserably to get bowled out playing just 42.3 overs. Brad Hogg was once again the wrecker-in-chief taking 3 wickets and Mitchell Johnson and Dan Cullen picked up 2 wickets each. Bangladesh lost a wicket in the very first over of the game losing Shahriar Nafees lbw to a well pitched up inswinger from Mitchell Johsnon. However it was a horrendous decision from Ian Howell as the ball clearly came off the inside edge before hitting the back leg of Nafees. Aftab Ahmed and Ashraful fell playing bad shots. Saleh got out playing a sweep shot to a flatter and quicker from Michael Clarke to give an end to a 39-run partnership with Bashar. And Bangladesh’s hopes of putting up any decent total ended when Kapali and Bashar fell to Brad Hogg in quick time. Bashar was foxed by Hogg’s googly that turned away to beat the batsman’s intentions of heaving it across to mid wicket. The tail did not wag once again for the homeside and in the end the total was no way enough for their bowlers to make the Aussies sweat.
That brings an end of this tour and Australians must be feeling happy to get a long break after this match. Today’s weather at Fatullah was very hot and Australia rested Ricky Ponting, Brett Lee and Nathan Bracken and won the game comfortably inspite of going with a very inexperienced bowling attack. Bangladesh have to be faulted as their batsmen did not put the efforts of staying in the middle for a long time and in the end disappointing the huge crowd at the stadium. Bradley Hogg was awarded the Man of the Series with his consistent performance with the ball.