Australia Join New Zealand in Embarrassing ODI Record in Mirpur in AUS vs BAN 1st ODI
Australia’s struggles up at the top of the batting order kept rolling on Tuesday, June 9, as they matched an unwanted ODI record during the first match of the three-game series vs Bangladesh, in Mirpur.
Trying to chase 285, Australia ran into trouble straight away when opening batter Matthew Short got sent back on the very first ball of the innings. Bangladesh fast bowler Taskin Ahmed did the job at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium leaving Australia with no runs at all on the board.
Third Straight Scoreless Opening Stand
That wicket basically meant Australia logged their third ODI innings in a row without getting so much as a single run from the opening partnership.
Australia switched things up, using Matthew Short and Cooper Connolly as their new opening duo. But it didn’t last, Short left the crease immediately, like within moments of starting.
This rough patch really began during the ODI series against Pakistan earlier this month. In Lahore on June 2, Alex Carey was out for a first-ball duck while opening alongside Matthew Short, so Australia lost their first wicket without adding anything.
Then two days after that, also in Lahore, Matthew Short was dismissed for a duck, opening with captain Josh Inglis. And once again, that innings ended with Australia losing their first wicket before they could even get going.
Australia Join New Zealand on Unwanted List
With three straight scoreless opening partnerships, Australia have now equalled New Zealand’s record from 2015.
Only Papua New Guinea have had it even worse in ODI cricket. In 2022, they went four straight innings with their opening pair failing to put a single run on the board.
Most consecutive ODI innings with 0 runs for the opening wicket:
- 4 – Papua New Guinea (2022)
- 3 – New Zealand (2015)
- 3 – Australia (2026)
The numbers underline Australia’s ongoing issue at the top, and it has been showing a lot in these recent ODI games.
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Bangladesh Take Control of the Match
Earlier, Bangladesh put up 284/8 after opting to bat first. Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mosaddek Hossain all contributed key half-centuries.
Mosaddek finished 86 not out from 70 balls and that kept Bangladesh rolling towards a solid total. Australia’s chase never really found any rhythm after the early wicket. Bangladesh’s bowlers kept hitting their marks, taking wickets at steady intervals.
Taskin Ahmed was the one who delivered the ideal start, while Mustafizur Rahman grabbed two wickets. Then fast bowler Nahid Rana turned into the main problem, taking four wickets and pushing Australia into serious trouble.
Australia were down at 191/9 when rain decided to interrupt, which left Bangladesh sitting in a good position, and able to go 1-0 up in the series.
Recent Problems Continue
Australia’s opening woes are also tied to their recent ODI series loss in Pakistan.
They dropped that series 2-1 and in the process twice couldn’t score any runs from the opening wicket. In the deciding third ODI, Australia were bowled out for just 157, and Pakistan then chased it down with ease.
With another rough start against Bangladesh, Australiawill be hoping this top-order headache doesn’t keep dragging on for the rest of the series.