Aussies grind out victory over Bangladesh

Normal service was resumed at the Canterbury ground as Australia ground out a workmanlike win against Bangladesh. After their shock win in the first of these meetings, the Bangladeshis have at times looked like a much more composed and confident outfit, despite their tendency to suffer batting collapses.

That belief was evident in today’s game as the Tigers made a solid 250 for the loss of 8 wickets, after at one stage being 3-19. The innings was build around twin 70’s from Shahriar Nafees (75) and Khalid Mashud (71), who came together in a fine steadying partnership of 94 in 20 overs.

Mashud and Khaled Mahmud then used the foundation to add a quick 57 at the end of the innings. Mahmud became the last man dismissed when he attempted to clear the boundary from the last ball of the innings. Shane Watson was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3-43 from his 10 overs.

The total, while serviceable, always looked slightly on the small side against an Australian batting lineup that has rediscovered confidence from the lows of a fortnight ago. There will still be some worry about the form of Matthew Hayden, who was dismissed early in the innings caught behind.

The early loss of his partner didn’t stop Adam Gilchrist, who scored a fast 45 from 36 balls, but his dismissal, and the fall of Damien Martyn for 9 shortly after left the Australians at a somewhat shaky 3-83. Gilchrist's dismissal bordered on the bizarre, with the batsman walking after edging a ball that bounced surprisingly to slip. However television replays seemed to indicate that Gilchrist did not manage to get bat on ball and had instead hit the ground.

Australia will also be pleased by the return to form of captain Ricky Ponting who more than doubled his series tally of 62 runs with a solid knock of 66. Ponting's dismissal brought Andrew Symonds to the crease. The burly allrounder has been in excellent form since his recall to the side following his night out before the loss to Bangladesh, and he didn’t disappoint here.

Symonds scored an impressive 42 not out, to partner Michael Clarke, who topscored with 80 not out, and guide the Australians to victory, the Bangladeshi total being surpassed with 48.1 overs bowled.

The Bangladeshis have shown enough on this short tour to indicate that there is much potential in their side. The obvious star is Mohammed Ashraful, who was easily their best batsman throughout the NatWest Series, however they are also possessed of some very good young bowlers. It will be interesting to see whether they are able to draw on the confidence and self belief that the victory over Australia has given them in the one day arena, and convert it to more competitive performances in the Test arena, which is where they have been found out.

As for Australia, another solid performance from them indicates that their early tour hiccups are behind them. With their batsmen running into form, and the reemergence of Brett Lee, they are once again looking like the formidable no. 1 team in the world. It will certainly be interesting to see whether England can convert their obvious potential into results against them.

Full scorecard available here.

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