Australia advance

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (AP):

Michael Hussey hit an unbeaten 47 and Dirk Nannes claimed 4-18 yesterday to lead Australia to a 27-run win over Bangladesh, 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 were all out for 114 in the 19th over. Smith collected 2-29 with his leg-spinners, while off-spinner 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 three and Mahmudullah on two.

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.