Australia edge past Bangladesh in third ODI to avoid whitewash defeat

MIRPUR: Left-handed opener Cooper Connolly's monumental century led Australia to a narrow one-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the third and last ODI of the away series here at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

The consolation victory helped Australia avoid the whitewash defeat as the home side had won the first two matches by 86 runs and five wickets, respectively.

Opting to bat first, the home side piled up a formidable total of 274/5 in their 50 overs, courtesy of half-centuries from Towhid Hridoy, Litton Das and Mosaddek Hossain.

Hridoy top-scored for Bangladesh with an anchoring 83 off 88 deliveries with the help of eight fours, while Das and Hossain made 58 and 56, respectively.

For Australia, Xavier Bartlett and Matt Renshaw bagged two wickets each, while Ben Dwarshuis made one scalp.

In response, Connolly's maiden ODI half-century eventually helped Australia chase down the daunting 275-run target for the loss of nine wickets and three balls to spare despite Shoriful Islam's six-wicket haul, coming off 48 runs in his 10 overs.

The left-handed opener spearheaded Australia's pursuit until the third delivery of the penultimate over and walked back after putting the visitors within touching distance with a marathon 149 off 134 deliveries, studded with 13 fours and four sixes.

For his sensational knock in the pursuit, Connolly was adjudged the Player of the match.

His brilliance was backed by fellow opener and captain Josh Inglis (21) and the middle-order trio of Marnus Labuschagne (29), Ben Dwarshuis and Cameron Green, 27 each.

Besides Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman and Mahedi Hasan could claim one wicket apiece.

It is pertinent to mention that following the three-match ODI series, the two teams will now lock horns in as many T20Is, all scheduled to be played in Chattogram on June 17, 19 and 21, respectively.