2010 ICC World T20 Match Reviews - Australia Versus Bangladesh

The third and final match of Group A was a must-wintime, most of Australia's final total was scored. They
situation for Bangladesh. Australia led the group withrecovered to 141//7, with Michael Hussey ending
a healthy run-rate. Their task was easy - avoid aunbeaten on 47 off 29 balls. Shakib Al Hasan and
heavy defeat against Bangladesh and qualify for theMohammed Ashraful were the two most economical
Super Eights. At Bridgetown, Barbados, Aussiebowlers for the Bengal Tigers, with economy rates
captain Michael Clarke won the toss and elected toof 6.00 each.
bat first.Bangladesh's reply got off to the worst start, with
The Aussies got off to a typically brisk start, scoringboth openers gone for nought by the second over.
16 runs off the first two overs. However, theirBangladesh was 4/2. It got even worse when Aftab
in-form opener, Shane Watson, fell to fast bowlerAhmed and Mahmudullah fell to Dirk Nannes;
Mashrafe Mortaza off the first ball of the third over.Bangladesh was 16/4. Captain Shakib Al Hasan and
His partner, David Warner was the next to go for 16;Mushfiqur Rahim staged a brief recovery, taking the
Australia was 21/2. Australia found progress difficultscore to 63 in the 11th over, before Shakib fell.
against the Bangladesh spinners. Michael Clarke wasBangladesh's innings subsided from that point on.
next to go, leaving the Aussies tottering at 37/3.Wickets fell with the score at 70, 81, 100 and finally
Bangladesh was smelling blood when they dismissedat 144. Bangladesh was 114 all out in the 19th over,
Clarke, David Hussey and Cameron White by the endhanding the Aussies an uncomplicated 27-run win at
of the 13th over; Australia was 65/6.the end. Dirk Nannes was the top Aussie bowler with
Where other teams would crumble, the Aussie spirit4/18 off his four overs. For his top score of 47,
is disinclined to surrender. Leg-spinner Steve SmithMichael Hussey was adjudicated Player of the Match.
joined Michael Hussey and the two of them stabilisedBangladesh was out of the 2010 tournament, which
the innings and then erected a substantial partnershipwould affect their seeding at the next event.
of 74 runs in seven overs. It was a case of AustraliaAustralia and Pakistan were through to the Super
seizing the initiative from the Bangladeshis. Smith wasEights.
the last man out for Australia in the last over. By that