Watson Breaks World Record As Australia Seal Series

Watson Breaks World Record As Australia Seal Series

Shane Watson blasted a world record 15 sixes on his way to brilliant century against Bangladesh in Mirpur

©REUTERS/Amit Dave (INDIA - Tags: SPORT CRICKET) Picture Supplied by Action Images

Australia 232-1 (Watson 185no) beat
Bangladesh 229-7 (Johnson 3-54) by 9 wickets
Second One-Day International, Mirpur
Scorecard

Shane Watson hammered a world record 15 sixes in an innings of 185 not out in just 96 balls that hurried Australia to a stunning nine-wicket win over Bangladesh in the second One-Day International in Mirpur.

Watson's innings, a new career-best, saw Australia overhaul Bangladesh's score of 229 for seven in just 26 overs as they sealed the series by going 2-0 up with a game to play.

Watson lost his opening partner Brad Haddin for eight when the wicket-keeper was caught by Mahmudullah off the bowling of Shakib Al Hasan but thereafter he called the tune and Australia are now overwhelming 1/14 favourites to win the third match with bet365.

He was particularly brutal on the spinners, hitting Suhrawadi Shuvo for four consecutive sixes at one point but also driving through the covers beautifully, the shot to bring up his century splitting the field on the off-side to perfection and the slog-sweep brought him most of his maximums as he passed the previous record of 12 - held by West Indies' Xavier Marshall.

He also hit 15 fours in a blistering innings that quickly ended any chances Bangladesh had of getting back into the series. Alongside him at the end and having played his part with one six thumped down the ground and two fours, was erstwhile captain Ricky Ponting, who made 37 not out.

Earlier, Bangladesh had been given a decent chance thanks to Mushfiqur Rahim's 81 not out and Shahriar Nafees's 56.

An early double strike from Mitchell Johnson and a wicket apiece for John Hastings and Steven Smith reduced the home side to 65 for four and when Nafees fell, they were 88 for five.

Rahim led the counter-attack with far more purpose than the opening game, hiting nine fours and one six in 80 balls and he received useful support from Mahmudullah (38) and Shuvo (16).

Johnson also dismissed Shuvo to return three for 54 as five Australian bowlers took a wicket.

Australia won the opening match by 60 runs to give new full-time captain Michael Clarke a winning start at the helm and the third and final match is on 13th April at the same ground.

© Cricket World 2011