Sophie Molineux, the all-rounder from Australia, made a successful comeback to one-day international cricket with a six-wicket win against Bangladesh.

In the Sunday match at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Molineux had a successful return to ODI with a 3-10 score in 10 overs, leading Australia to bowl out Bangladesh for 97 in 44.1 overs. Australia easily won with a score of 98-4 in 23.5 overs, securing a 2-0 lead in the three-game series.

In October 2021, Molineux made her return to the Australian team after a foot stress fracture and ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in her knee. Despite not being chosen for the first game of the Bangladesh series, the 26-year-old showcased exceptional left-arm spin bowling, including five consecutive maiden overs.

Molineux was responsible for taking three of the first five wickets to fall. At one point, Bangladesh’s score had dropped to 61-8 in the 32nd over. Megan Schutt, Ashleigh Gardner, Georgia Wareham, and Alana King all played a part in the overwhelming defeat of the Bangladeshi batters, with Schutt taking 1-7 in six overs, Gardner taking 2-22 in 10 overs, Wareham taking 2-26 in eight overs, and King taking 1-15 in six overs.

Nahida Akter, the No. 9 batter, was the only one to score more than 11 runs, including 20 extra runs – 18 wides and two leg byes.

Ellyse Perry led the Australian batters in reaching their goal, scoring an impressive 35 runs from 50 deliveries. The team’s first batters, Alyssa Healy (15) and Phoebe Litchfield (5), as well as Beth Mooney (8) and Tahlioa McGrath (10), were all dismissed with low scores.

However, Perry and Ashleigh Gardner (20 runs not out from 23 balls) collaborated to guide Australia to an easy win.

The first One Day International (ODI) was won by Australia with a margin of 118 runs. The third 50-over match will take place on Wednesday, followed by three Twenty20 (T20) international matches.

Source: theguardian.com