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Kangaroos crush Bangladesh

Recalled all-rounder Thomas Moody grabbed three wickets and blazed an unbeaten 56 off 29 balls as Australia thrashed rookies Bangladesh by seven wickets in a World Cup Group B clash at the Riverside Stadium in Chester-le-Street today.

Moody was selected in the Australian squad for his experience of English conditions, but wasn't used in the starting line-up until now, after Australia had lost successive matches to New Zealand and Pakistan.

His impact on the game was tremendous. He took three for 25 off 10 overs, including four maidens, as Australia restricted Bangladesh to 178 for seven in 50 overs.

After Adam Gilchrist belted 63 off 39 balls and shared a 98-run opening stand with Mark Waugh, Moody came to the crease and vindicated his selection by scoring at almost two runs per ball.

Gilchrist, whose previous scores in the tournament were 6, 14 and 0, attacked the bowling in a stunning return to form as Australia attempted to lift its series run-rate in a bid to keep its tournament hopes alive.

The wicketkeeper-batsman belted 10 fours as he blazed his way to a half-century in 33 balls. He was finally out trying to pull Minhazul Abedin over midwicket and getting stumped by Khaled Masud.

Mark Waugh, who scored 33 off 35 balls, was out in the same fashion the very next over without any addition to the total.

After playing an anchor role for a while, Waugh opened up, hitting a series of boundaries, and added 98 for the opening wicket with Gilchrist.

West Australian Moody, who captains Worcestershire in the English county cricket competition, is the only player apart from Steve Waugh to have played a part in Australia's 1987 World Cup victory.

He and Ricky Ponting, who came in after the fall of Brendon Julian's wicket, ensured the team's victory with lusty hitting all over the ground and finished the match with a six.

AP

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