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Debutant Cosgrove powers Australia to a
comfortable win |
April 28, 2006 (Click to see the
Scorecard)
Twenty one-year-old debutant Mark James Cosgrove
entered the international arena today and walked
off with the man of the match award as his
scintillating knock of 74 helped Australia to
win the 3rd and final ODI at Fatullah by 9
wickets. It was a power packed innings from the
strong young left hander who smashed 7 fours and
2 sixes before getting out with Australia
needing just 2 runs to win. Simon Katich was a
spectator to Cosgrove’s power hitting and the
former collected 42 runs to see Australia home
along with Hogg. Australia took just under 23
overs to reach 125 which was the target set up
by Bangladesh who batted first after electing to
bat first.
Mark Cosgrove was in a murderous mood using his
feet often to the Bangladesh spinners and
lofting them with lots of power. Rajin Saleh was
hammered for two sixes over long off by this
strong lad. Katich showed aggression in bits and
he did well to remain not out. Cosgrove would be
disappointed to get out when he could have so
easily remained not out. He got bowled looking
to heave Razzak to the mid wicket region for the
winning runs.
This easy win for the Aussies was set up by
their bowlers who bundled out the homeside for
just 124. Except for Rajin Saleh’s scratchy
knock of 37 and Skipper Habibul Bashar’s neat
knock of 33, Bangladesh batting performed
miserably to get bowled out playing just 42.3
overs. Brad Hogg was once again the
wrecker-in-chief taking 3 wickets and Mitchell
Johnson and Dan Cullen picked up 2 wickets each.
Bangladesh lost a wicket in the very first over
of the game losing Shahriar Nafees lbw to a well
pitched up inswinger from Mitchell Johsnon.
However it was a horrendous decision from Ian
Howell as the ball clearly came off the inside
edge before hitting the back leg of Nafees.
Aftab Ahmed and Ashraful fell playing bad shots.
Saleh got out playing a sweep shot to a flatter
and quicker from Michael Clarke to give an end
to a 39-run partnership with Bashar. And
Bangladesh’s hopes of putting up any decent
total ended when Kapali and Bashar fell to Brad
Hogg in quick time. Bashar was foxed by Hogg’s
googly that turned away to beat the batsman’s
intentions of heaving it across to mid wicket.
The tail did not wag once again for the homeside
and in the end the total was no way enough for
their bowlers to make the Aussies sweat.
That brings an end of this tour and Australians
must be feeling happy to get a long break after
this match. Today’s weather at Fatullah was very
hot and Australia rested Ricky Ponting, Brett
Lee and Nathan Bracken and won the game
comfortably inspite of going with a very
inexperienced bowling attack. Bangladesh have to
be faulted as their batsmen did not put the
efforts of staying in the middle for a long time
and in the end disappointing the huge crowd at
the stadium. Bradley Hogg was awarded the Man of
the Series with his consistent performance with
the ball.
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