Australia Seek to Seal ODI Series Against Bangladesh

Mirpur: The hosts need to win the second game on Monday to keep the series alive, and to achieve that, they'll need a stronger top-order performance

Michael Clarke led from the front on Saturday in his first match as full-time captain, hitting a century in Australia's 60-run victory over hosts.

Clarke will be aiming to make it two wins from two and secure a debut series victory as permanent skipper when the teams return to the Shere Bangla National Stadium for the second of three matches on Monday.

The 30-year-old proved instrumental in the opening win, arriving at the crease with Australia three wickets down after reaching just 90 runs.

Shane Watson and Brad Haddin both went cheaply and the openers will be keen to make amends with a more responsible showing in the second match.

Ricky Ponting, playing in his first ODI under another captain for nine years, reached 34 in a promising innings.

But he fell to a stumping by wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim after some sharp fielding from Suhrawadi Shuvo.

Clarke proved able to steady the ship, displaying some typically excellent footwork against Bangladesh's spinners.

He struck six fours and two sixes throughout, taking 111 balls to bring up 101 before falling to Mashrafe Mortaza.

Mortaza, who missed the World Cup through injury, took two wickets on his return for Bangladesh.

But they were expensive - the right arm quick gave away 65 runs for his nine overs and will be keen to improve his economy in the next outing.

Australia's bowlers shared the wickets around, with one apiece going to quicks Mitchell Johnson, John Hastings and Brett Lee.

First-choice spin bowler Xavier Doherty took one wicket on his return to the team, while part-timer Steve Smith also picked up a scalp.

There was even a return to bowling action for Cameron White, although the Victoria captain was only afforded one over and came away empty handed.

After Ponting's mixed management of the various spinners charged with succeeding Shane Warne, Clarke's willingness to throw the ball to White could be an encouraging sign of a different approach from the new man.

Opener Tamim Iqbal and captain Shakib Al Hasan both reached half centuries for the home side.

But with three of their top four making just 11 runs between them, Bangladesh will need a significant improvement from their specialist batsman if they are to level the series at 1-1.

Team from

Bangladesh: Shakib Al Hasan (C), Tamim Iqbal (VC), Mashrafe Mortaza, Imrul Kayes, Shahriar Nafees, Raqibul Hasan, Alok Kapali, Mushfiqur Rahim (WK), Mahmudullah, Abdur Razzak, Suhrawadi Shuvo, Rubel Hossain, Shafiul Islam, Shuvagoto Hom

Australia: MJ Clarke (C), SR Watson (VC), RT Ponting, CL White, XJ Doherty, CJ Ferguson, BJ Haddin (WK), JW Hastings, MEK Hussey, MG Johnson, B Lee, TD Paine (WK), JL Pattinson, SPD Smith

Pitch and conditions
The pitch on Saturday was slow and batsmen didn't find it easy to get in, but once they were settled, runs were available. There is the chance of some light rain on Monday, with an expected top temperature of 34^oC.

Stats and trivia

• Since the start of the Australian summer, Cameron White has failed to make a half-century in 18 ODIs, and has averaged 23.53. His strike-rate of 64.15 during that period is easily the worst of any of Australia's specialist batsmen or allrounders
• Brett Lee is one wicket away from 350 in one-day internationals; only Glenn McGrath, on 380, has taken more for Australia
• Mashrafe Mortaza needs two wickets to reach 150 in ODIs; Abdur Razzak is the only other Bangladesh bowler to have reached that mark

Match facts
Monday April 11, 2011
Start time 9:30 local (03:30 GMT)