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May 27: The Australian run-machine plundered the loose Bangladesh bowling to win by seven wickets. Except Brendan Julian, the top Aussie order scored with utmost ease to overtake the winning target of 179 in the 20th over.

Two quick wickets after the fall of Adam Gilchrist at the team total of 98 was the brief period of Bangladesh joy as Australia came to ensure a heady run rate for posterity.

Mark Waugh shared a solid opening partnership with Gilchrist. The wicketkeeper-batsman was brilliantly stumped by Khaled Mashud as he went out to punish Minhazul Abedin again. Gilchrist hit 13 fours in his 39-ball 63.

Mark Waugh fell next with no addition to the total. The great man was caught outside his crease after being beaten hollow by Enamul Hoque. Mark hit three boundaries in the almost run-a-ball 33.

Enamul Hoque's best deception was reserved for Julian who was bowled round his leg.

When it appeared that Bangladeshi bowlers may have some surprises up their sleeve, in came man-of-the-match Tom Moody to lay the foundation of the unbroken fourth-wicket partnership with Ricky Ponting. Together they put on 70 runs.

Moody scored a punishing 56 from only 29 balls to add to his three-wicket haul to easily take the man-of-the-match award. Moody's towering knock included two huge sixes and six powerful fours.

Ponting did not do bad either, scoring 18 off 10 balls that included a six and a four.

Without taking anything from the on-fire Australians, perhaps, just perhaps, the match may have been a bit more prolonged had Mehrab Hossain held on to Mark Waugh's cracker in the fifth ball of the innings, and had Khaled Mahmud done likewise to deny Tom Moody his fifty.

Enamul Hoque was Bangladesh's most successful bowler but also expensive. Minhazul sent Gilchrist back but not before being thoroughly punished. Khaled Mahmud was practically toyed with, giving away 39 runs in 17 deliveries.

Earlier the Bangladesh innings of 178 for seven centred round two fine innings. Minhazul was not out with 53 and Mehrab Hossain put on 42.

Tom Moody was Australia's most successful bowler with 3 for 25. Shane Warne was tight with figures of 10-2-18-1. McGrath and Fleming looked rather ordinary although they claimed wickets.

This was Bangladesh's third defeat against a win against Scotland. Bangladesh play their last group match against Pakistan at Northampton on May 31.

With Pakistan, Australia, West Indies and New Zealand in the same group, it is not total disgrace to play second fiddle.