Australia beat Bangladesh by 73 runs on Saturday to complete a 3-0 sweep of their limited-overs series in Darwin. The world champion posted a modest total of 198 for five from its 50 overs but sealed a comfortable victory by bowling out Bangladesh for 125 in the 30th over. Mike Hussey, who was named player of the series, top scored for the Australians with an unbeaten 57 while opener Shaun Marsh made 30 after scoring half-centuries in the previous two matches. “It was closer than the first two games but our mindset was to win this game,” Australia's acting captain Michael Clarke said. “Bangladesh batted well at the start, they were positive, but we all knew if we could just take one or two wickets it would put them on the back foot.” Bangladesh, which was thrashed in the two previous matches, produced easily its best performance of the series, briefly threatening an upset when it reached 82-3 on the back of a splendid half-century from Tamim Iqbal. The teenage opener made 63 off 69 balls, featuring five fours and a six, but received little support from his teammates as only two other players made double figures. He threw his wicket away when he started running out of partners. “I played a stupid shot, I shouldn't have played that shot and should have carried on the innings,” he said. “The result would be different if I'd carried out the innings.” Bangladesh coach Jamie Siddons was pleased with the progress of his bowlers but said the batting needed drastic improvement to challenge the best teams. “A couple of guys are believing, but there's a few who aren't, that it requires hard work to make a big score,” Siddons said. “Those guys need to really look at their game and what they're doing when they go out to bat.” Flintoff happy to be back Andrew Flintoff says he's enjoying playing cricket again with England - without the burden of captaincy. The 30-year-old all-rounder is excelling under new captain Kevin Pietersen after having battled several long-term injuries. “I think I've found my perfect role within the side,” Flintofff said on the England and Wales Cricket Board's website Friday. “I've had a go at captaincy and I think now in my own way I can lead. Kevin is obviously the captain and he's in charge, but I can help by passing on some of the things I've learnt to the younger lads, especially the bowlers and I can be there for Kevin to give advice if he needs it. “I care a lot about playing cricket and I care a lot about playing for England. I've not always gone about it the right way every time, but my desire to do well has always been there.” Flintoff captained England to a 5-0 series defeat in Australia in 2006-07, and he was then fired as England's one-day captain at last year's World Cup after drunkenly falling off a pedalo in St. Lucia. Yet he shrugged off injuries to end a yearlong exile from the England team when he returned for the second test with South Africa at Headingly in July. Although England lost - and went on to lose the series 2-1 - Flintoff vowed he would enjoy his cricket. “Possibly, for a period, I lost that enjoyment,” he said. “I'm in a privileged position because I'm playing cricket for England, but I'm going to enjoy it while it lasts. I don't know how long I'll play for, but I'm determined to enjoy it while it lasts.” Flintoff was England's leading run scorer during the 4-0 one-day series win over South Africa and his performances with the ball took him back to the top-10 bowlers in the ICC's world ODI rankings. “I think I'm a better cricketer for those dark times and a better person,” he said. “When you experience tough times, the better times are that much sweeter.”
