Fast bowler Pat Cummins has taken a hattrick and David Warner smashed a half-century, as undefeated Australia kicked off their 'Super Eight' campaign at the T20 World Cup with a rain-hit 28-run win over Bangladesh.
Recalled with fellow quick Josh Hazlewood, after being rested against Scotland, Cummins' three-wicket burst helped restrict the South Asians to 140/8, before rain cut short Australia's chase. Victory was secured by the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method.
Australia were 100/2 after 11.2 overs, before the match was abandoned, with Warner unbeaten on 53 and Glenn Maxwell 14 not out at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.
Test and one-day skipper Cummins bowled Mahmudullah for two, had Mahedi Hasan caught for a duck by Adam Zampa at deep third man and then dismissed Towhid Hridoy for 40, when the batter scooped to Hazlewood.
Cummins's third victim came in the over after his first two wickets and his hat-trick celebration was conspicuously understated.
"I had no idea... I totally forgot about it," said Cummins of his first hattrick in international cricket and the first at the tournament. "It's a good club to be a part of."
He finished with 3/29 from his four overs, while spinner Zampa took 2/24 to put the brakes on Bangladesh in the middle overs.
Australia captain Mitchell Marsh had declared himself fit to bowl on the eve of the match, after recovering from a hamstring strain, but the allrounder left the spare overs to Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis.
His poor form with the bat continued, with Marsh dismissed leg before wicket for one by Rishad Hossain, who took both the Australian wickets, also bowling Travis Head for 31.
Bangladesh 140/8 (Shanto 41, Hridoy 40; Cummins 3/39) Australia 100/2 (Warner 53no, Head 31; Hossain 2/23) in 11.2 overs
Australia win by 28 runs (DLS)
Reuters
