Agency :
Bangladesh Women’s Cricket team scared Australia to a great extent before suffering a massive 118-run defeat in the three-match ODI series opener on Thursday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the capital’s Mirpur on Thursday .
Put into bat first, Australia were reduced to 27-3 and then 78-5 but the World champions recovered from that collapse to post 213-7 and then bowled Bangladesh out for just 95 in 36 overs to lead the series 1-0.
Annabel Sutherland made team-high 58 not out while Alana King who struck 29 runs in the last over of Fahima Khatun was unbeaten on 31 ball-46, smashing two fours and five sixes.
In doing so, King broke the record for most sixes in an innings for Australia, going past Shelly Nitschke’s four.
Fahima who faced the wrath of King, however conceded 67 runs in 9 overs for one wicket and became the Bangladesh bowler with conceding most runs in an innings, eclipsing Rumana Ahmed’s 62.
Sultana Khatun and Nahida Akter took two wickets for the Tigresses. After grabbing those two wickets, Nahida became the top wicket-taker for Bangladesh in ODIs with 53 wickets, surpassing Salma Khatun’s 52.
Ashliegh Gardner was the other contributor for Australia with 32 but Ellyse Perry who was in the limelight was able to score just 2. After playing this match, Perry broke the record for playing the most ODIs (145 matches) for Australia, going past Alexandra Blackwell (144 matches).
Only three batters of Bangladesh could reach double digits with captain Nigar Sultana making highest 27. Sobhana Mostary made 17 before being out by King while Murshida Khatun scored 10.
Ashliegh Gardner claimed 3-22 while Kim Grath grabbed 2-26. Alana King after his whirlwind innings, picked up one for just 12 runs in 10 overs. King however was adjudged Player of the Match.
