Connolly leads Australia recovery after Bangladesh strike early

Cooper Connolly struck a composed half-century after Bangladesh's pace attack claimed three early wickets as Australia rebuilt their innings in pursuit of 275 in the third and final ODI at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Sunday.

Connolly remained unbeaten on 60 off 60 balls and added an unbroken 40-run stand for the fourth wicket with Marnus Labuschagne, who was not out on 16, as Australia reached 110 for three after 20 overs. The visitors had earlier slumped to 70 for three before the pair steadied the chase.

Bangladesh made early inroads through Shoriful Islam, who struck twice in the fifth over to remove the dangerous Josh Inglis for 21 and Matt Renshaw for a duck within the space of three deliveries.

Taskin Ahmed then dealt another blow by dismissing Alex Carey for eight. Soumya Sarkar played a key role in the wicket, pulling off a superb one-handed catch at cover to leave Australia further under pressure.

Earlier, Bangladesh posted a competitive 274 for five from their 50 overs. Tawhid Hridoy top-scored with a fluent 83 off 88 balls, while Litton Das and Mosaddek Hossain remained unbeaten on 58 and 56 respectively to guide the hosts to a strong total.

Having already secured the series by winning the opening two matches, Bangladesh are now chasing a historic first-ever ODI clean sweep over Australia.

Hridoy, Mosaddek, Litton fifties power Tigers to 274/5

Towhid Hridoy, Mosaddek Hossain and Litton Das struck fifties as Bangladesh posted a challenging 274 for five in the third and final ODI against Australia at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur today.

In-form Hridoy, however, will be disappointed to have missed out on a century after being dismissed for 83 off 88 deliveries, an innings featuring eight boundaries. He and Mosaddek shared a crucial 90-run fifth-wicket stand, with the latter remaining unbeaten on 56 off 51 deliveries.

Meanwhile, Litton, who had retired hurt earlier in the innings after scoring a patient 48 off 73 deliveries, returned to the crease following Mahedi Hasan's dismissal in the 49th over and went on to register his 14th ODI fifty. He remained unbeaten on 58 off 78 deliveries.

Xavier Bartlett and Matt Renshaw claimed two wickets each for Australia.
 

Litton, Hridoy steady Bangladesh after early setbacks against Australia

Litton Das and Tawhid Hridoy led Bangladesh's recovery after an early collapse against Australia in the third and final ODI at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Sunday.

The duo added 92 runs for the fourth wicket after Bangladesh slumped to 61 for three in the 15th over. Litton was later forced to retire hurt after scoring a patient 48 off 73 deliveries.

Hridoy continued his impressive form, remaining unbeaten on 42, while Mosaddek Hossain had just arrived at the crease as Bangladesh reached 160 for three after 34 overs, having elected to bat first.

Earlier, Bangladesh suffered an early blow when opener Soumya Sarkar was dismissed for two in the opening over. 

Tanzid Hasan Tamim (19) and stand-in captain Najmul Hossain Shanto (24) then stitched together a 51-run partnership for the second wicket before both fell in quick succession to part-time off-spinner Matt Renshaw.

Mahedi, Shoriful in as Bangladesh opt to bat first 

Off-spinner Mahedi Hasan and left-arm seamer Shoriful Islam were drafted in as Bangladesh opted to bat first in the third and final ODI against Australia in Mirpur on Sunday. 

Najmul Hossain Shanto is leading the side in place of Mehidy Hasan Miraz, out with concussion. 

Mehidy was replaced by off-spinner Mahedi while Shoriful came in for speedster Nahid Rana. 

Australia, looking to avoid their first series whitewash against Bangladesh, made too changes too. 

Oli Peake and Ben Dwarshuis came into the side for this fixture. Matt Short has been dropped following three ducks on the trot while Nathan Ellis has been rested.

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