Daijiworld Media Network - Brisbane
Brisbane, Oct 14: Australia completed a comprehensive 3-0 sweep of the women's ODI series against Bangladesh with a clinical eight-wicket victory in the third and final match at Allan Border Field here on Wednesday, chasing down a target of 173 in just 22.4 overs with 164 balls to spare.
Veteran pacer Megan Schutt led Australia's bowling effort with an impressive 4/16 in 10 overs, helping restrict Bangladesh to 172 in 49.5 overs after the hosts elected to bowl first.
Ellyse Perry and Annabel Sutherland then guided Australia to victory with an unbeaten partnership. Perry scored 65 not out off 64 balls, while Sutherland smashed 74 not out off just 52 deliveries.
Schutt struck early to dismantle Bangladesh's top order, reducing the visitors to 18 for three. Sharmin Akhter and Shorna Akter offered resistance with half-centuries, scoring 50 and 54 respectively, to help Bangladesh recover during the middle overs.
However, Australia's bowlers maintained the pressure, with Sutherland taking 2/25 and Ash Gardner claiming 2/49 to break crucial partnerships and prevent Bangladesh from posting a competitive total.
Australia lost two wickets during the chase but remained firmly in control. Perry anchored the innings before Sutherland accelerated the scoring with an aggressive display of strokeplay to seal the win in 22.4 overs.
The victory capped a dominant series for Australia, who had also secured convincing wins in the first two ODIs.
In the opening match on October 9, Sutherland claimed 4/30 as Bangladesh were bowled out for 166. Australia chased down the target in 25.4 overs to register a seven-wicket victory, with contributions from their top order.
Bangladesh fought back in the second ODI, posting 220 all out on the back of a historic 118 from Sobhana Mostary and an unbeaten 74 by captain Nigar Sultana.
However, Australian opener Georgia Voll produced a match-winning knock of 131 not out off 97 balls to guide her side to a nine-wicket victory in 28.1 overs, sealing the series with one match remaining.
Brief scores: Bangladesh 172 all out in 49.5 overs (Shorna Akter 54, Sharmin Akhter 50; Megan Schutt 4/16) lost to Australia 175/2 in 22.4 overs (Annabel Sutherland 74 not out, Ellyse Perry 65 not out; Disha Biswas 1/40) by eight wickets.