Connolly’s Heroics Help Australia Avoid Whitewash Against Bangladesh

Darwin, 14 June : Bangladesh came agonizingly close to completing a historic whitewash, but Australia held their nerve to secure a dramatic one-wicket victory in the third and final ODI at the on Sunday.

Despite a sensational six-wicket haul from , the hosts failed to defend a competitive total of 274, as 22-year-old opener produced a match-winning century to rescue Australia from a series whitewash.

After winning the toss and opting to bat first, Bangladesh posted a fighting total of 274/5 in their allotted 50 overs. The innings was anchored by valuable half-centuries from , and .

Bangladesh suffered an early setback when opener departed in the opening over. A brief resistance from and captain failed to stabilize the innings, leaving the Tigers struggling at 61/3.

The recovery came through a crucial 92-run partnership between Litton and Hridoy for the fourth wicket. Litton, who briefly left the field due to injury before returning, remained unbeaten on 58 and registered his first ODI fifty in Mirpur. Hridoy played a composed knock of 83, while Mosaddek added an unbeaten 56 to propel Bangladesh to a competitive total.

In response, Australia started aggressively, collecting 38 runs in the first four overs against Bangladesh’s pace attack. However, Shoriful quickly turned the game around by dismissing and in the same over, putting the visitors under pressure. Later, removed to further boost Bangladesh’s hopes.

But Connolly gradually wrestled back control for Australia. He stitched together a 64-run partnership with , maintaining the scoring momentum with aggressive stroke play. Connolly reached his half-century in just 51 balls and accelerated further after the milestone.

Even after Labuschagne’s dismissal, Connolly continued his dominance, sharing another important stand with . The young batter eventually reached his maiden ODI century in just 87 deliveries, putting Australia firmly in command.

Green contributed 27 runs, while 19-year-old debutant chipped in with a useful 27 to keep Australia on course.

Bangladesh mounted a late comeback through Shoriful, who dismissed Peake and off consecutive deliveries to claim the first five-wicket haul of his ODI career. He later added another wicket to finish with a career-best six-for, sparking hopes of a remarkable turnaround.

However, lacking support from the other end, Bangladesh could not complete the fightback as Australia reached the target in 49.3 overs, finishing on 275/9 with one wicket and three balls to spare.

For Bangladesh, Shoriful Islam starred with six wickets, while Taskin Ahmed, and claimed one wicket each.