Darwin (Australia), Aug 06: Ricky Ponting scored his fourth one-day century of a productive year as world champions Australia crushed minnows Bangladesh by 112 runs in the final cricket one-dayer to sweep their series 3-0 at Marrara Oval here today. Skipper Ponting's rich scoring form continued with 101 off 118 balls including four sixes and two fours to push Australia to 254 for seven off their 50 overs after winning the toss.
Bangladesh were always up against it, even with Australia going into the match without top-line pacemen Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee, and were dismissed for 142 off 47.3 overs. The Darwin win follows Australia's eight- and nine-wicket victories in the opening two games in cairns last weekend.
Medium-pacer Ian Harvey claimed 4-16 off 6.3 overs, left-arm spinner Brad Hogg chimed in with 2-32 off 10 overs and Jason Gillespie had a superb spell of 1-16 off 10 overs with six maidens.
Earlier, the Bangladeshis had one of their best spells in the field on tour when they claimed three Australian wickets for two at one stage. Australia slumped from 112 for one to 114 for four after 26.5 overs as Bangladesh looked to restrict the world champions to a reasonable score on the big Darwin ground.
Replying to the Aussie score, Bangladesh slumped to 36 for five and it was only a defiant knock of 49 by Alok Kapali that prevented an embarrassing total. Bureau Report