Cooper Connolly scored a brilliant maiden ODI century as Australia denied Bangladesh a clean sweep with a dramatic one-wicket win in the third one-day international in Dhaka. It was a performance for the ages from the young batter, helping the visitors complete an unlikely escape as they chased down 275 with three balls remaining in a tense finish.
Batting first after winning the toss, Bangladesh initially struggled but bounced back well thanks to some sparkling partnerships from a number of senior batsmen. The revival was spearheaded by a patient 83 from Towhid Hridoy and an unbroken 58 from Litton Das, who saw the innings through to the end of its latter stages. Mosaddek Hossain contributed valuable late impetus with an unbeaten 56 to the Bangladesh total, and the team finished on a competitive 274 for 5.
Australia started positively in their run chase. However, it was Josh Inglis who launched the visitors from the off, smashing a quick 21 as they rocketed to 40 without loss. But Bangladesh turned this around within a matter of six overs, invoking Shoriful Islam’s wondrous spell. In the same over, he accounted for Matt Renshaw along with Inglis, before Alex Carey perished to Taskin Ahmed’s mischief too in a two-over period from 100/3 to 101/6.
Connolly was still calmed amid the chaos. He was already showing maturity beyond his years, rotating the strike well and punishing wayward bowling. But a vital alliance with Marnus Labuschagne calmed the innings before another useful partnership with Cameron Green saw Australia get closer to target.
Connolly continued to push on despite suffering cramp in the humid weather. He maintained the hopes for Australia with wickets falling around him, in style reaching his first ODI century. Shoriful delivered an incredible demonstration, claiming six wickets but after Bangladesh was finally knocked out.
The contest eventually boiled down to the last few sections, with Connolly’s 149 ultimately proving kick-ass. Not only did his innings earn Australia a consolation win, it confirmed him as one of the sides brightest young prospects in one-day cricket.
Read More: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosaddek_Hossain
