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Warner’s ton steers Australia to 381-5 against Bangladesh
DHAKA, June 20, 2019 (BSS)-Opener David Warner struck a monumental 146 ball-166 as Australia compiled a hefty 381-5 against Bangladesh in their sixth game of the World Cup at Trent Bridge in Nottingham on Thursday.
Warner’s second century in this World Cup in last three matches was pivotal in driving Australia to a dominant position, leaving Bangladesh to chase their highest total. It was Australia’s second highest total in World Cup history.
The Tigers chased their highest total in the last match against West Indies when they gunned down 322 with utmost ease, keeping 51 balls unused. They however need to emulate that performance, which is believed to be tougher against a quality bowling attack of Australia.
Warner clattered 14 fours and five sixes in his innings. Usman Khawaja hammered 72 ball-89, while skipper Aaron Finch chipped-in-with 51 ball-53.
Soumya Sarkar surprisingly was the toast of Bangladesh bowling, claiming his career best 3-58 from eight overs.
Warner and captain Aaron Finch who opted to bat first, laid the platform, sharing 121 runs in just 20.5 overs, capitalizing on Bangladesh’s listless bowling attack and shoddy fielding.
As his main bowlers could not make any impact on those rampant Australian batsmen, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza brought up part timer Soumya Sarkar in attack, which paid the dividends. Sarkar got the better of inform Finch with one that surprisingly carried extra bounce to baffle him and ended his 51 ball-53, including five fours and two sixes.
Warner was slow in his standard as it has been his tradition in this World Cup. And Bangladesh let him to survive in his struggling time, on 10, when Sabbir Rahman shelled an easy chance at backward point off Mashrafe bowling.
Warner afterwards grew with confidence and started taking Bangladesh’s bowling in such utter disdain that the bowlers forgot where to land the ball.
Along with him, Usman Khawaza also found his impetus and added 192 off just 139 balls to throw Bangladesh away from the match.
Warner brought up his 16th hundred with a single off 110 balls after which he paced the innings in emphatic fashion. In doing so, he brought up his sixth 150 plus knock off 139 ball, taking a single off Mustafizur Rahman through long-on.
Just as he looked destined to a double hundred, Soumya again struck to dismiss him for 166 off 146, which was studded with 14 fours and five sixes.
But Bangladesh’s misery was extended when Glenn Maxwell raised realistic hope of taking the team past 400. The Tigers however was lucky as Maxwell was run-out after mix-up with Khawaja.
His unfortunate run out after blasting 32 off 10 balls with three maximums and two fours gave Bangladesh a sigh of relief and brought a mini collapse that saw Australia loss three wickets for one run including Khawaja.
Bangladesh then bowled with some good plan at the fag end of innings to tie down Australia to somewhat but still Australia plundered 131 runs in last 10 overs.
In the meantime rain interrupted the proceedings of the game for 15 minutes when Australia was on 368-5 in 49 overs. As game resumed Australia plundered 13 runs from Mustafizur Rahman to finish the innings on good note.
BSS/SMP/MMA/2020hrs