Cricket: Hussey Century Powers Australia to Clean Sweep

The Australian bowlers struggled to contain a Bangladesh batting line-up that finally turned up to play, but the damage had already been done by another dominating batting display from the visitors who wrapped up the ODI series 3-0. Shane Watson continued where he left off after the second game's stunning perfomance, blasting eleven fours and three sixes in making 72 from just 40 balls. Ricky Ponting, asked to open as Brad Haddin was rested, played second fiddle to Watson again, finishing with 47 from 50, while Michael Clark also made 47.

Steve Smith was given a chance to build a score, promoted to four, but only added five to the one run he had made in his only other knock in the series. Adding to his woes, he later went wicketless, and his form suggests that he will welcome Australia's break from international cricket, although there must be question marks as to where he will fit into the ODI or Test teams when Australia heads to Sri Lanka later in the year.

There might also be question marks over Mike Hussey's role going forward, but he spoke loudly and clearly with words and bat to suggest there is plenty of Mr Cricket yet to come. Coming in after 19 overs, with Australia 3/142, Hussey made his first ODI century in four years, before being dismissed in the last over for 108 from 91 balls. Making mention of his late start to international cricket, Hussey stated that he was keen to keep playing while he had plenty to offer on and off the pitch, and said that the same could be said for Ricky Ponting. With few viable alternatives pushing through from the younger generation, Ponting, Hussey and Simon Katich might all play on for a while yet.

Australia finished on 8/361 and it was hardly conceivable that Bangladesh might even get close given their sluggish batting in the first matches (210 and 229), but they were aggressive from the outset today. Tamim Iqbal hit Mitchell Johnson for a four and a six in the opening over, and finished with 32 from 17 balls before Johnson had his revenge and yorked him in the fifth over. The top 4 all contributed runs, with Imrul Kayes making 93 from 95, and Hafees (60) and Mahmudullah (68no) also playing fine innings. However, they were never really in the hunt with such a massive chase, and a pair of Shane Watson wickets in the 39th over, ended any real hopes of getting close.

Australia's spinners went wicketless, in contrast to Shane Warne's continued fine form in the IPL, with Smith, Doherty and Clarke combining for 0/91 off 16 overs. The selectors will have plenty to think about on that side ahead of the Sri Lankan tour. The batting side is looking a bit happier, with Clarke, Hussey and Watson all making centuries here, and Ponting looking like he may be able to reboot his career with some decent knocks in the last couple of weeks. Hussey was awarded man of the match honours here, and no prizes for guessing that Watson was man of the series, finishing with 294 runs.