Litchfield fires as Australia beat Bangladesh in ODI opener

Australia beat Bangladesh by seven wickets in the first one-day international at Allan Border Field in Brisbane on 9 October.

Set 167 to win, Australia reached the target in 25.4 overs for the loss of three wickets. The win gave the hosts a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series, in which each side can face up to 50 overs, or 300 balls The Guardian.

Stand-in captain Tahlia McGrath won the toss and chose to bowl. She led the side in place of regular skipper Sophie Molineux, who was out injured.

Bangladesh were bowled out for 166 in 49.4 overs Cricket.com.au. They batted almost the full allocation but never broke free.

Megan Schutt set the tone with the new ball. She took 2 for 19 from her 10 overs, which means two wickets for 19 runs, and claimed her 150th wicket in ODIs during the innings. Annabel Sutherland then worked through the middle and lower order to finish with 4 for 30.

Phoebe Litchfield drove the chase. She made 77 from 57 balls and reached her 12th half-century in ODIs. Her innings kept the required rate, the scoring pace needed to win, under control from the start.

Australia lost three wickets along the way. That still left seven batters unused. Sutherland returned to hit 26 not out and see her team home.

Sutherland was named player of the match for her four wickets and unbeaten finish. The result kept Australia undefeated in 22 ODIs at Allan Border Field.

What stands out here is the balance of the performance. Schutt provided early control. Sutherland shaped both innings. Litchfield supplied the speed.

The series continues at the same ground. The second ODI was scheduled for Allan Border Field in Brisbane on 11 October.