Australia asserted their dominance in the opening match of the three-game series in Brisbane, handing Bangladesh a seven-wicket defeat during their historic maiden ODI appearance on Australian soil. The hosts controlled the contest from the outset, limiting the visitors to 166 all out in 49.4 overs before chasing down the target with ease.
Opting to bowl first, the Australian attack dismantled the top order quickly. Megan Schutt set the tone by removing Fargana Hogue and Sarmin Sultana within her first five overs, which included two maidens. Annabel Sutherland soon joined the action, dismissing Sharmin Akhter to leave the batting side under pressure. Despite a gritty partnership between Nigar Sultana and Shorna Akhter, the run rate stagnated significantly; the pair could only manage 40 runs between the 15th and 30th overs. Tahlia McGrath eventually removed the captain, while Georgia Wareham accounted for Shorna later in the innings. Shorna Akhter dug in alongside Nigar Sultana: between overs 15-30, Bangladesh only added 40 runs. Who could only edge it to slips, megan Schutt reared one in sharply into Fargana Hogue. Trapping Sarmin Sultana in front of the stumps, the early movement brought her another scalp in her next over. As Bangladesh went into a shell, the early blows were followed by a prolonged period of preservation.
Ritu Moni provided some late resistance, scoring 45, but the team failed to accelerate, finishing on 166. Sutherland concluded her impressive spell with figures of 4-30, while Schutt finished with 2-19. For the tourists, 17-year-old debutant Habiba Islam provided a bright spot, finishing with 2-36. They couldn’t find a big over and were left to make do with the odd boundary, finishing on 166, placed at 130/7 after 40 overs.
Australia’s response was aggressive and efficient. Phoebe Litchfield played a starring role, striking an enterprising 77 off just 57 deliveries. Even after Habiba claimed the wicket of Georgia Voll, Litchfield continued to find the gaps, notably hitting three consecutive fours off Marufa. Australia reached 74/1 after the first 10 overs, effectively neutralizing any threat posed by the visitors’ bowling. Under lights, Australia made short work of the 167-run chase, led by Phoebe Litchfield’s enterprising 77 off 57, giving Bangladesh’s bowlers little opportunity to make a game out of it.
Although Rabeya Khan briefly returned to the field to claim the wicket of Litchfield, the game remained firmly in Australia’s control. Ellyse Perry, marking her 20th year in international cricket, anchored the remainder of the chase with an unbeaten 26. Alongside Sutherland, Perry guided the side to 168/3 in just 25.4 overs. The win gives Australia a 1-0 lead as the series moves forward.
