Molineux makes dream return as Australia seal ODI series

Sophie Molineux has made a statement in her return to one-day international cricket, with Australia’s spinners dominant in a series-sealing six-wicket second ODI win over Bangladesh.

Molineux captured three wickets and leaked just 10 runs from her first 10 overs in ODI cricket since October 2021, as Bangladesh were bowled out for 97 after electing to bat first at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

Nine of the ten wickets fell to spin, with left-armer Molineux backed up by leggies Alana King (2-15) and Georgia Wareham (2-30) and off-spinner Ashleigh Gardner (2-22).

Ellyse Perry then anchored Australia’s chase, hitting an unbeaten 35 from 50 deliveries as she steered the tourists to their target in 23.5 overs.

Earlier, Bangladesh’s top-order struggled to score as Perry opened proceedings alongside Megan Schutt, with just 17 runs coming from the first eight overs before Schutt had opener Sobhana Mostary (3 off 20 balls) caught behind.

Fellow opener Fargana Hoque Pinky’s 52-ball vigil yielded just seven runs before she became Molineux’s first victim, caught by Tahlia McGrath at extra cover.

The Victorian’s pressure was relentless, as she delivered 53 dot balls across her 10-over spell, combining brilliantly with her fellow spinners to ensure only three Bangladesh batters reached double figures.

No.9 Nahida Akter top-scored with 22, having looked to attack late in the hosts’ innings and hit three boundaries in her team’s innings that included just seven fours in total.  

It was a dream return for Molineux, whose last ODI appearance was against India in October 2021 before serious foot and knee injuries saw her sidelined for a prolonged period.

Her opportunity came at the expense of Kim Garth, as she replaced the quick in the Australia XI with the tourists opting to field a four-strong spin attack.

That move paid off handsomely, as the quartet captured 9-77 between them.

Gardner was also miserly, with 22 runs coming from her 10 overs that included 49 dot balls, while first ODI hero Alana King’s 6.1 overs went for just 15 runs.

Megan Schutt was also superb up front with the new ball, as just seven runs came off her six overs – although the South Australian would be less impressed that four of those were extras.

Again, the extras column was the one blight for the Australian attack, as they added 20 runs to the Bangladesh total via wides.

There were a few stumbles during Australia’s pursuit of the meagre total; Phoebe Litchfield was run out on five in unfortunate circumstances, after her bat stuck in the pitch and she lost her grip on it.

Healy’s 34th birthday celebrations ended on 15 when she skied a catch off the bowling of Rabeya Khan, and while Beth Mooney (8) was gifted a life on six when Marufa Akter grassed a simple chance, she was out stumped shortly after.

Then, a piece of fielding magic saw Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana Joty run out Tahlia McGrath with a direct hit, leaving Australia 4-60 still 38 runs from their target.

But Bangladesh were unable to inflict any further damage, as Perry was joined by Gardner (20no from 23) in an unbeaten 37-run stand.

The teams will meet in the third and final ODI at the same venue on Wednesday.

CommBank Tour of Bangladesh

First ODI: Australia won by 118 runs

Second ODI: Australia won by six wickets

March 27: Third ODI, Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka (2:30pm AEDT)

March 31: First T20I, Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka (5:00pm AEDT)

April 2: Second T20I, Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka (5:00pm AEDT)

April 4: Third T20I, Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka (5:00pm AEDT)

Australia squad: Alyssa Healy (c), Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath (vc), Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham, Tayla Vlaeminck

Bangladesh squad: Nigar Sultana (c), Nahida Akter (vc), Fargana Hoque, Murshida Khatun, Sobhana Mostary, Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Sultana Khatun, Fahima Khatun, Marufa Akter, Disha Biswas, Sumaiya Akter, Nishita Akter Nishi, Farzana Akter, Rabeya Khan