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Cricket
Last chance for solace
Tigercricket.com, Darwin

Bangladesh fast bowler Shahadat Hossain runs in to bowl yesterday during a training session ahead of the third and final one-day international against Australia in Darwin. Shahadat has so far taken three wickets from two outings. Photo: AFP

With the series gone already and their image taking a beating Bangladesh know that tomorrow's third and final ODI against Australia will be the final opportunity to recover lost pride.

The Tigers have lost the two games by 180 runs and 8 wickets and scored 74 and 117 which is not the team's real game, said captain Mohammad Ashraful.

"We have not played the cricket we are capable of. It has been a very disappointing series so far but still there is one game to go and hopefully the batting will click tomorrow (Saturday)," said Ashraful who also reminded the openers of their responsibility.

"If the bat out 10-12 overs then the rest of the batsmen can play their natural game. That can get us to a decent total. We have not had an opening stand in this series and that hurts the team's chances."

On the talks and speculations regarding his captaincy and whether he needs a break Ashraful said he hasn't even contemplated the issue.

"Only thing I am thinking about right now is the match and how we can all bring our best cricket to the ground. We still have a lot of cricket to play," said Ashraful and continued, "As far as I am concerned I am enjoying captaincy and a few good results will stop all negative talk."

"The coach (Jamie Siddons) is a straightforward and honest person and I have taken his views regarding my performance and captaincy very positively. We are working really hard and sooner or later results are bound to come," said Ashraful.

Bangladesh left out Mehrab Hossain who had opened the batting in the first two games. That means Tamim Iqbal will be partnered by Zunaed Siddiqui in the opening stand. Pacers Nazmul Hossain and Dollar Mahmud are also out and replaced by allrounders Farhad Reza and Mahmudullah Riyad.

Tomorrow's match starts at 9:30am local time (6:00am) Bangladesh Standard Time). The Bangladesh team will fly out of Darwin midnight tomorrow for Dhaka with stopovers in Sydney and Hong Kong.

TEAMS
BANGLADESH: Tamim Iqbal, Zunaed Siddiqui, Mohammad Ashraful (captain), Shakib Al Hasan, Alok Kapali, Dhiman Ghosh (wicketkeeper), Mahmudullah Riyad, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, Forhad Reza, Abdur Razzak, Shahadat Hossain.

AUSTRALIA (likely): Shane Watson, Shaun Marsh, Michael Clarke (captain), Michael Hussey, David Hussey, Brad Haddin (wicketkeeper), Cameron White, James Hopes, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Bracken, Stuart Clark.