Australia assault minnows Bangladesh
Victory of Australia was predictable result but rain played a spoil sport as the ICC World Cup Super Eights was reduced to just 22-overs. After Australia won the toss the favorites put the Bangladesh to bat first. Ace bowler Glenn McGrath took 3 wickets to become the highest wicket-taker in ICC World Cup history.
The Bangladeshis found the going tough as they lost their opener Tamim Iqbal at a score of just four runs he was out of the ball of Nathan Bracken, caught by Brad Hogg at mid-on position. The next one to go was Shahriar Nafees who was out at the score of one. He was the McGrath’s first victim.
The loss of two early wickets saw the minnows faltering at a score of eight runs. Two overs later Aftab Ahmed and Mohammad Ashraful were the other McGrath’s victims that helped the ace bowler to reach the milestone of highest wicket taker. After McGrath’s three crucial wickets the Bangladesh were at a shameful score of 37 for 4 wickets.
Mashrafe Mortaza saved his team from an embarrassing low score after he scored 25 off just 17 balls. He remained unbeaten and his inning was the only consolation for the Bangladesh team. His vital 25 runs helped Bangladesh to put up a respectable total of 104 for 6.
Openers Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden thrashed the Bangladeshi bowlers. For the bowler’s it seemed that their worst nightmares had come true as they were hit at virtually every other ball. Both Hayden and Gilchrist's remained unbeaten till end of innings which meant that Australia won the match comfortably with all the ten wickets to spare.
With the convincing win the defending champions run rate will be boosted. Though this will be a scarcely concerned matter as Australia are already leading the points table.
Brief Score: Australia 106-0(Gilchrist 59, Hayden 47) Vs Bangladesh (Mortaza 25, Saqibul 25)
Result: Australia won the match by ten wickets
Man of the Match: Glenn McGrath
To know more about Cricket World Cup 2007, check the following links:
Points Table
Highlights
Match Scorecards
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