New Skipper Clarke Faces Bangladesh Test

Dhaka: Australia's Michael Clarke will be determined to make a strong start in his new role as captain when he leads against Bangladesh in a one-day series starting in Dhaka on Saturday.

The stylish middle-order batsman last month replaced Ricky Ponting as skipper at a time when Australia are trying to revive their fortunes in both Test and one-day cricket.

Australia not only lost the Ashes against England at home last year but also failed in their bid to win a fourth successive World Cup when they crashed to India in the quarterfinals, both the defeats coming under Ponting.

Ponting, with 13,288 runs in 359 one-day internationals, has retained his place as batsman in the squad for three matches against Bangladesh.

"Having his (Ponting's) experience around the group is very important for our development moving forward," Australia vice-captain Shane Watson said Wednesday.

Australia began their tour on Thursday with a 90-run win over a Bangladesh Cricket Board team in a practice match in Dhaka, with Clarke, Ponting, Brad Haddin and Mike Hussey all scoring half-centuries.

Paceman John Hastings bagged four wickets, including a hat-trick.

Australia have made a few changes to their World Cup squad. David Hussey opted out of the series, while spinner Xavier Doherty and paceman James Pattinson have come in place of Jason Krezja and Shaun Tait.

Fast bowler Tait quit one-day cricket after the World Cup.

Bangladesh have won just one of their 16 one-dayers against Australia, but batsman Shahriar Nafees said the hosts could make the visitors struggle.

Bangladesh, who could not make it to the World Cup quarter-finals, recalled fast bowler Mashrafe Mortaza after he missed the showpiece event due a knee injury. Shakib Al Hasan was retained as captain.

Uncapped batsman Shuvagoto Hom and all-rounder Alok Kapali were the surprise inclusions in the squad.

Former captain Mohammad Ashraful, Junaid Siddique, Naeem Islam and Nazmul Hossain, members of the World Cup squad, were dropped for the series against Australia.

The last two one-dayers will be held in Dhaka on April 11 and 13.

Teams from

Australia: Michael Clarke (capt), Shane Watson, Xavier Doherty, Callum Ferguson, Brad Haddin (wk), John Hastings, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Tim Paine (wk), James Pattinson, Ricky Ponting, Steve Smith, Cameron White.

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

Pitch and conditions
Expect a slow and low pitch with some turn. Bowlers who can attack the stumps should be rewarded. The forecast is for a sunny day and a high temperature of 32C.

Stats and trivia

Clarke has already captained Australia in 24 ODIs and has a strong record of 18 victories.
Brett Lee is set to play his 200th one-day international, and he will be the ninth Australian to reach that milestone
Excluding matches against Zimbabwe and the Associates, Bangladesh have played 63 ODIs at home, for nine wins. Four of those came in their whitewash against New Zealand last year

Match facts
Saturday April 9, 2011
Start time 9:30 local (0330 GMT)

Scores	Upcoming	Results
Australia vs Pakistan - 3rd T20I 3rd ODI - Sri Lanka v New Zealand - November 19, 09:00 GMT 1st Test - West Indies v Bangladesh - November 22-26, GMT 5th T20I - West Indies v England at St. Lucia No results 2nd ODI - Sri Lanka v New Zealand at Kandy Sri Lanka won by 3 wickets (with 6 balls remaining) (DLS method)

Related links

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