Cooper Connolly scores maiden international century as narrowly Australia avoids ODI whitewash in Bangladesh
Steve Barrett
Rising star Cooper Connolly had to overcome cramps that sent his body into shock as he recovered from his glorious first international century to lead Australia to a riveting one-wicket win over Bangladesh in the third and final ODI.
Connolly smashed 149 off 133 deliveries at the hot and humid Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka on Sunday, while the tourists escaped a 3-0 run to bowl out Bangladesh for 5-274 with three deliveries to spare.
The 22-year-old West Australian, whose previous highest score was 61 in non-ODIs and 64 in all List-A games, hit 13 fours and six sixes. The next highest Australian score was 29 by Marnus Labuschagne.
“[It was] “It’s hard towards the end,” he admitted. “I felt like my body was in complete shock and didn’t want to move.
“But it was nice to play a part in Australia’s win.
“The joy of playing for Australia and batting in the middle is always an exciting thing and it was nice to spend some time there.”
After leading for 5-266, the Aussies suffered a 4-5 collapse to fall to 9-271 before Adam Zampa edged Taskin Ahmed for four to cruise to victory.
Recalled left-arm seamer Shoriful Islam (6-48) was the Tigers’ chief destroyer and could have been the match-winner with a seven-wicket haul to his name had Tanzid Hasan not grassed Zampa at wide slip.
Connolly watched the carnage from the other side before departing in the 49th over (four runs needed, ninth wicket fallen) playing off Mustafizur Rahman.
“Obviously I’m a little disappointed in myself because I worked so hard to get into this position,” he said.
“It would be nice to carry your bat with you throughout the entire swing.
“I think whoever is there, whether it’s No. 10 or No. 11, there’s always belief, I’m always ready to support them.
“My emotions were pretty upset and I was disappointed in myself, but it was nice to cross the line.”
Connolly and stand-in captain Josh Inglis set the pace for the Australians by attacking Bangladesh’s new bowlers.
This braggart approach has served Connolly well in all formats so far in his young career.
“When we look at it, ODI cricket is quite similar to the way I play my red-ball cricket,” he said.
“I like to be aggressive and score goals.
“That’s the whole point of batting on the power play; you want to be aggressive and put players under pressure.”
The T20 series between Bangladesh and Australia begins on Wednesday.
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