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Watson Smashes Sixes Record, Australia Win Series



A squash buckling Shane Watson broke the record for the most sixes in an ODI to lead Australia to a resounding victory against Bangladesh on Monday.
The vice-captain belted 15 sixes and 15 fours on his way to 185 to leapfrog West Indian Xavier Marshall's record for 12 sixes against Canada in 2008.
The all-rounder's 96-ball knock was also the highest score by an Australian in one-day cricket, surpassing Matthew Hayden's 181 against New Zealand.
Set 230 for victory, the visitors cruised to 232 for 1 in 26 overs at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.
Australia now have an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series with one match to play.
Watson pounded the Tigers bowlers into oblivion. The right-hander reached his century in 28 balls, notched 100 in 69 and brought his 150 in just 83 deliveries.
Ricky Ponting finished 37 not out from 42 balls while Brad Haddin (eight) was the only wicket to fall, the wicketkeeper spooned a catch to mid-wicket off Shakib Al Hasan.
Earlier, a quickfire innings from middle order batsman Mushfiqur Rahim boosted Bangladesh to a competitive 229 for 7.
The Tigers were in early trouble after winning the toss and batting when they slumped to 88-5 but Rahim's 81 in 80 balls and Shahriar Nafees' 56 from 73 deliveries led the home side's valiant fightback.
Nafees was back in the sheds, caught and bowled by Steve Smith, by the time Bangladesh took their batting powerplay at the 45-over mark.
But with Rahim with his eye in, they still added 59 runs in a productive final five overs.
Mitchell Johnson was the best of the Aussie bowlers with 3-54 while spinner Steve Smith chimed in with 2-34, including the important wicket of the dangerous Nafees.
The Aussie quicks lost their way late, Shane Watson went for 14 runs in the 46th over and Brett Lee for 17 in the 49th.
Lee remains stranded on 349 ODI wickers after the speedster completed 10 wicketless overs.
The veteran's failure to take a scalp was offset by a stingy first eight overs, which went for just 13 runs.


Brief scores........................
Bangladesh:-
  229 for 7 (Mushfiqur 81*, Johnson 3-54)
Australia :-  232 for 1 (Watson 185*, Ponting 37*)
Result :-  Australia won by nine wickets