MICHAEL Clarke began his reign as Australia captain with a 90-run win over a Bangladesh Cricket Board XI in Fatullah yesterday.
Clarke was one of four batsmen to post half-centuries, including former skipper Ricky Ponting, as Australia scored 308 for six in their tour opener, before John Hastings grabbed a hat-trick to ensure a comfortable win as the home side could muster only 218 for seven in reply.
Clarke, who was handed the captaincy last week after Ricky Ponting stood down following Australia’s World Cup quarter-final exit, hit a run-a-ball 55 before retiring to allow his fellow batsmen a chance for some time in the middle.
Opener Brad Haddin (66) and Ponting (69) had already shared a 133-run partnership for the second wicket to set up the Australian innings before Mike Hussey hit an unbeaten 69 from 55 balls to lift the tourists past the 300-mark.
Two early wickets from Mitchell Johnson immediately set the Bangladesh side’s chase back before Hastings took his first hat-trick in Australia colours, removing Raqibul Hasan (65), Alok Kapali and Shuvagoto Hom in successive balls on his way to figures of four for 15 from seven overs.
Australia meet Bangladesh in the first of a three-game one-day international series in Dhaka tomorrow.