Litchfield leads Australia past Bangladesh as Schutt reaches 150 ODI wickets
Annabel Sutherland took four wickets and finished unbeaten on 26 as Australia maintained their undefeated record across 22 ODIs at Allan Border Field.
Phoebe Litchfield scored 77 from 57 balls as Australia chased down Bangladesh’s 166 at Allan Border Field, reaching the target in 25.4 overs with three wickets lost. Megan Schutt earlier claimed her 150th ODI wicket during an opening spell that helped restrict the visitors.
Litchfield brought up her 12th half-century in the format, while Annabel Sutherland completed the chase on 26 not out. Sutherland was named player of the match after also returning bowling figures of 4-30.
Stand-in captain Tahlia McGrath chose to bowl, and Schutt dismissed Fargana Hoque with the opening delivery. She reached the milestone by trapping Sarmin Sultana lbw for four and finished with 2-19 across 10 overs. Cathryn Fitzpatrick, with 180 wickets, and Ellyse Perry, with 166, are the only Australians with higher ODI wicket tallies.
Ritu Moni led Bangladesh’s scoring with 45 from 63 deliveries. Captain Nigar Sultana contributed 29 from 86 balls and Sharmin Akhter made 24. Bangladesh were bowled out on the fourth delivery of the final over.
McGrath took charge because regular captain Sophie Molineux was injured. The match opened a three-ODI series at the same ground and marked Australia’s first home appearance of the summer since their T20 World Cup triumph in July.
