Aussies coast to clean sweep

Australia have coasted to a 3-0 clean sweep of the ODI series against Bangladesh, with a convincing nine-wicket demolition of the Tigers today at Fatullah, courtesy of a barnstorming dig of 74 runs off 69 balls from explosive opener Mark Cosgrove.

The 21-year-old from South Australia together with New South Welshman Simon Katich (47*) combined to make short work of a poor total of 125.

Cosgrove’s swashbuckling innings included nine boundaries, two of which cleared the rope on the full, while Katich racked up five boundaries.

Brad Hogg (3-17), Mitchell Johnson (2-24) and Dan Cullen (2-25) performed well with the ball for the Aussies, contributing greatly to the downfall of the cricketing minnows.

The Bangladesh innings got off to the worst possible start, with opener Shahriar Nafees being trapped LBW for no score in the first over off the bowling of Johnson. Umpire Ian Howell confirmed the dismissal despite signs of an inside edge.

Rajin Saleh (37) and Habibal Bashar (33) were the only shining lights for Bangladesh, with Bashar once again proving his worth to the struggling side.

Bashar seemed to be heading towards a large score, before Adam Gilchrist weaved his magic behind the wicket, stumping the captain after James Hopes dropped Bashar earlier in his innings off the bowling of Michael Clarke.

The comfortable win ends a long and draining summer for the world-champions, who will now return to Australia for a well-earned rest.

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