Aussies show who's boss

Australia have made light work of Bangladesh in their NatWest One Day match overnight, recording a comprehensive 10-wicket victory at Old Trafford.

After rolling the Bangladeshi batsmen for only 139, Australia cruised home in 19 overs - with explosive batting by Adam Gilchrist (66no from 60) and Matthew Hayden (66no from 54) providing the crowd with some excitement with the bat.

However, Man of the Match Andrew Symonds failed to excite the audience with his batting, but he was just as spectacular with the ball, taking 5-18 in a career best effort.

The Australians maintain second position on the NatWest table with 14 points, three behind England in first place, and nine ahead of Bangladesh in bottom position - almost securing an English versus Aussie final.

Signs were ominous early on for Bangladesh when Javed Omar and Tushar Imran were victims of the Brett Lee express, as they faltered to 2-23.

However, enter 20-year-old star Mohammad Ashraful and some devious and streaky stroke-play, and the Bangladeshi batsmen were soon back on track.

Ashraful cleverly hooked Lee for two sixes over the keeper and down to third man in compiling a 58 from 86-ball innings, while opener Shahriar Nafees (47 from 57) was looking set, as Bangladesh moved onto 2-113 and on target for 250.

Though, when Shahriar Nafees played all over a Symonds delivery, that triggered a cataclysmic collapse, which saw Bangladesh, in the space of 70 deliveries, register 26 runs, however, lost eight wickets – including their last four for no addition to the scoreboard.

From batting position's five to 11, only 11 runs were scored amongst the seven batsmen, while two batsmen alone (Ashraful and Nafees) combined for five sixths of the Bangladeshi total off the bat.

Symonds did the damage with the ball, taking 5-18 in a devastating 7.2 over spell. Brad Hogg also became accustomed to the spinner-friendly conditions, snagging 3-29 from nine overs.

The NatWest Series moves onto Headingley tomorrow as England take on Bangladesh in a do-or-die match for the touring side, while a win could secure England top position in the One Day series - a foreign position for the English in a cricketing series involving Australia.

Full scorecard available here.

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