Cooper Connolly's Maiden Ton Secures Australia's Nail-Biting One-Wicket Victory Over Bangladesh

Cooper Connolly came of age with his maiden international ton as Australia squeaked out a nail-biting one-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the third and final ODI of their series.

Connolly defied cramps to play the innings of his life at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Sunday, smashing 149 off 133 balls as Australia narrowly avoided a whitewash by edging past Bangladesh’s five for 274 with three deliveries to spare.

After cruising at five for 266, the Aussies suffered a four for five collapse – Connolly was the last wicket – to crash to nine for 271, before Adam Zampa raised victory when he drove Taskin Ahmed through the covers for four.

Recalled left-arm seamer Shoriful Islam (six for 48) was the chief destroyer for the Tigers and could have been the match-winner – and had seven scalps – had Tanzid Hasan not grassed Zampa at wide slip.

Connolly, who hit 13 fours and six sixes, raised a masterful century off 87 deliveries. The young West Australian’s previous highest score was 61 not out in ODIs and 64 in all List-A games.

Josh Inglis (21) got the chase off to a flier at Mirpur, before he and Matt Renshaw (nought) – bowled around his legs – fell in Shoriful’s first over. It was then three for 70 when Alex Carey (eight) fell to a spectacular catch from Soumya Sarkar.

Marnus Labuschagne (29), Cameron Green (27) and Oliver Peake (27) all provided valuable support for Connolly in consecutive partnerships of 64, 68 and 64.

Shoriful was on a hat-trick when he got rid of Peake and Xavier Bartlett (nought) in successive deliveries, before dismissing Ben Dwawshuis (four). Connolly, who watched the carnage unfold at the other end, played on to a Mustafizur Rahman slower ball with victory in sight.

Earlier, Bangladesh appeared to be in control thanks to half-centuries from Towhid Hridoy (83), Litton Das (58 not out) and Mosaddek Hossain (56 not out).

Australia made the perfect start when Soumya (two) was bowled by Bartlett (two for 47) in the first over. When Matt Renshaw (two for 44) removed Tanzid (19) and the stand-in captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto (24), the Tigers were struggling at three for 61.

Towhid was involved in two big partnerships of 92 with Litton and 93 with Mosaddek, which threatened to take the game out of the tourists’ reach had it not been for Connolly’s heroics.

Bangladesh’s 2-1 series win was their fourth straight in ODIs and their first ever against Australia. The two teams will play a three-game T20 series commencing in Chittagong on Wednesday.