Australia Whitewash Bangladesh with Eight-Wicket Victory

Australia Women defeated Bangladesh by eight wickets in the third and final ODI in Brisbane, completing a 3-0 series whitewash against the Tigresses.

Bangladesh were put in to bat after losing the toss. Megan Schutt struck early, dismissing Murshida Khatun for one and Sharmin Sultana for six to put Bangladesh under pressure. Sharmin Akter led the fightback, but Schutt also removed Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana Joty and Sobhana Mostary, leaving the visitors struggling at 45 for four.

Sharmin Akter and Sworna Akter then added 54 runs for the fifth wicket off 98 balls. Their partnership was eventually broken by Ellyse Perry, who dismissed Sharmin Akter for 50 off 93 balls. Ritu Moni and Rabeya Khan also departed in quick succession, leaving Sworna to fight on with the lower order.

Sworna Akter produced the best innings of her ODI career, scoring 54 off 71 balls before Annabel Sutherland sent her back to the pavilion. Bangladesh were eventually bowled out for 172 with just one ball remaining in their innings. For Australia, Megan Schutt claimed four wickets for just 16 runs, delivering 53 dot balls.

Chasing a target of 173, Australia lost Georgia Voll early for 11, with Sultana Khatun providing the breakthrough. Disha Biswas then dismissed Beth Mooney for 21, leaving the hosts at 38 for two.

However, Ellyse Perry and Annabel Sutherland took complete control of the chase, putting together an unbeaten 137-run partnership for the third wicket. Perry scored 65 off 64 balls, while Sutherland hammered 74 off just 52 deliveries, taking the attack to the Bangladesh bowlers.

Australia reached the target in just 22.3 overs, finishing at 173 for two to seal an emphatic eight-wicket victory and complete the series whitewash.

Megan Schutt, who claimed four wickets in the match and finished the series with 10 wickets, was named both Player of the Match and Player of the Series.