Cricket: Hussey, Nannes lead Aussie into Super Eights

BRIDGETOWN - Michael Hussey hit an unbeaten 47 and Dirk Nannes claimed 4-18 to lead Australia to a 27-run win over Bangladesh today, taking their team and Pakistan through to the Super Eights from Group A.

Australia struggled early with the bat before Hussey and allrounder Steve Smith, who made 27 off 18 deliveries, shared a partnership of 74 off seven overs to lift their team from trouble at 65-6 to a competitive total of 141-7.

Bangladesh left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan claimed 2-24, while pacer Mashrafe Mortaza took 2-28 at Kensington Oval.

The pace of Nannes and fellow opening bowler Shaun Tait was too much as Bangladesh was all out for 114 in the 19th over.

Smith collected 2-29 with his legspinners, while offspinner David Hussey took 2-8.

The fiery Tait claimed Imrul Kayes for a duck in the first over as the left-hander dragged a slower ball to mid-on.

Nannes then took the wickets of Mohammad Ashraful for 0, Aftab Ahmed for 3 and Mahmudullah on 2.

Ashraful was caught at third man by Tait in a brilliant low catch to set the standard for a dazzling Australian fielding performance. Aftab and Mahmudullah both miscued to midwicket to leave Bangladesh on 15-4.

Shakib and wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim shared a stand of 48 off 41 balls. But once Shakib fell to a fine deep catch by Michael Hussey, the resistance faded swiftly.

Earlier, the Bangladeshis began brightly once Australia chose to bat after winning the toss.

Australian opener David Warner blasted the second over for 14 runs before Bangladesh took a flurry of wickets.

Shane Watson top-edged Mortaza to Aftab Ahmed, who also caught Warner off Shakib to make it 21-2.

Brad Haddin (6), captain Michael Clarke (16) and David Hussey (9) all followed soon after. And when Shakib bowled Cameron White for 8, Bangladesh was well on top.

But Hussey and Smith rebuilt the innings slowly before unleashing an assault that brought 52 runs off the last four overs.

- AP