Cooper Connolly produced a sensational maiden ODI century to guide Australia to a dramatic one-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the third and final one-day international in Dhaka, preventing a series whitewash.
The 22-year-old left-hander starred with a brilliant 149 off 133 balls at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, leading Australia to a tense chase of 275 with just three balls to spare.
Despite the defeat, Bangladesh secured the series 2-1 after winning the opening two matches and recording their first-ever ODI series triumph over Australia.
Connolly’s remarkable innings anchored Australia’s pursuit, but the visitors were made to sweat after a late collapse. Seemingly in control at 5-266, Australia lost four wickets for just five runs and slipped to 9-271, leaving the result hanging in the balance.
Battling cramps in the sweltering Dhaka conditions, Connolly was dismissed in the 49th over with only four runs required, chopping on to Mustafizur Rahman after carrying Australia to the brink of victory.
The winning moment came in the final over when Adam Zampa drove Taskin Ahmed through the covers for four, sealing one of Australia’s most nerve-racking ODI wins in recent years.
After the match, Connolly admitted the innings had taken a significant physical toll.
“Tough towards the end,” he said. “I felt like my body was all in shock and not wanting to move.”
The knock was the first century of Connolly’s senior career across international, List A and first-class cricket. His previous highest ODI score was an unbeaten 61, making the innings a major breakthrough for one of Australia’s brightest young talents.
His 149 featured 13 boundaries and six sixes and ranks among the highest individual ODI scores by an Australian batter.
While disappointed not to finish the chase himself, Connolly praised Australia’s lower order for holding their nerve.
“I was obviously a little disappointed because I’d done all the hard work to get to that position,” he said. “It would have been nice to carry my bat through the innings.”
Australia’s chase was built on positive intent from the outset, with Connolly and stand-in captain Josh Inglis taking the attack to Bangladesh’s bowlers. Marnus Labuschagne contributed 29, while Cameron Green and Ollie Peake scored 27 each, but no other batter came close to matching Connolly’s impact.
Bangladesh remained in the contest thanks largely to an outstanding spell from left-arm seamer Shoriful Islam, who claimed 6-48 and almost inspired a memorable victory. His late wickets sparked panic in the Australian camp and transformed a comfortable chase into a tense final-over finish.
Earlier, Bangladesh posted a competitive 274, with Tawhid Hridoy, Litton Das and Mosaddek Hossain making valuable contributions.
The victory provided a welcome boost for Australia after a challenging ODI series in which Bangladesh had already secured a historic series win. Connolly’s innings emerged as the standout moment for the tourists and offered a glimpse of a player who could become a key figure in Australia’s white-ball future.
Australia now shifts its focus to the T20 leg of the tour, while Bangladesh can take pride in a landmark series triumph against one of world cricket’s traditional powerhouses.