Australia complete sweep against Bangladesh
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Mike Hussey was named player of the series after finishing with an unbeaten 57 in the final ODI against Bangladesh (Getty Images: Robert Cianflone)
Australia beat Bangladesh by 73 runs in Saturday's third one-day international to complete a 3-0 sweep of their series in Darwin.
The Australians posted a modest total of 5 for 198 from their 50 overs, but sealed a comfortable victory by bowling out the visitors for 125 in the 30th over.
Mike Hussey, who was named player of the series, top-scored for the Australians with an unbeaten 57, while opener Shaun Marsh made 30 after scoring half-centuries in the previous two matches.
Bangladesh, who were thrashed in the two previous matches, briefly threatened an upset when they reached 3 for 82 on the back of a splendid half-century from man-of-the-match Tamim Iqbal.
The teenage opener made 63 off 69 balls, featuring five fours and a six, but received little support from his team-mates, with only two other players making double figures.
Iqbal eventually holed out to Shane Watson (2 for 8) when he knew he was running out of partners.
Bangladesh were again in big trouble early in the chase, slumping to 3 for 22 before Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan, who had also done well with the ball, steadied the ship.
Medium pacer James Hopes (3 for 30) conceded 11 runs from his first over but bounced back to take the vital wicket of Al Hasan (27) and then two more quick scalps as Bangladesh lost 5 for 21 to slump to 8 for 103 as all hope was lost.
Bangladesh's cause was not helped by the fact that they were without number 11 Shahadat Hossain, who picked up a hand injury in the field.
Earlier, on a slow wicket that suited the Bangladesh spinners, the tourists did well to restrict the home side after Australia won the toss and elected to bat.
Hussey again anchored the Australian effort with an unbeaten 57 from 72 balls, while Cameron White added some late runs with 22 not out from 24.
The Australians had looked set to fall well short of 200, until a late flurry from the pair added 23 runs from the last two overs.
The bowlers were able to restrict the strokeplay of the normally aggressive Australians and were superbly backed by their fielders, with three run outs robbing the home side of any momentum.
Spinners Al Hasan (0 for 25 from 10 overs) and Abdur Razzak (1 for 22 from 10) both bowled superbly in the conditions.
Opener Watson (27), struggling captain Michael Clarke (25 from 66 balls) and middle order batsman David Hussey (11) were all run out, the latter two both by direct hits at the bowler's end as they attempted quick singles.
The home side went 27 overs without a boundary before Mike Hussey finally broke the drought in the 42nd over.
Bangladesh made two changes to their side for Saturday's match, with Mahmudullah and Farhad Reza replacing Mehrab Hossain jnr and Nazmule Hossain.
Reza's introduction into the attack for the first time in the series was successful, bowling opener Shaun Marsh (30), who had already been dropped, with his first ball.
-AFP/Reuters
