A bowling masterclass from Sophie Molineux has helped Australia cruise to a six-wicket win over Bangladesh in the second ODI of the series. After bowling Bangladesh out for just 97, the Australians did not even need half their allotted overs to get the job done.

Bangladesh’s start was very slow, and when that first wicket fell the floodgates opened up. After an initial partnership of 17, there were only three more partnerships that even reached double figures as the Australian bowlers run amok. Things could have been even worse for Bangladesh if the Aussies had bowled straighter, with the tourists conceding 20 extras.

In her first ODI since 2021 Molineux was the pick of the bunch, taking 3/10 off 10 overs, in a performance that included five maidens.

Ash Gardner, Alana King and Georgia Wareham all had good spells with ball in hand, picking up two wickets each.

Meanwhile for Bangladesh Nahida Akter was the pick of the batters with 22, but she was the only one to outscore the extras, and one of only three batters to make a double figure score.

Speed was certainly not front of mind for the Australians as they begun their chase. They did keep losing wickets at a relatively quick pace early, but with such a small total to chase, the Australians were never really in a situation where they had to hit panic stations.

Ellyse Perry made a slow but steady 35 not out, while Gardner’s 20 not out was a little bit quicker.

Meanwhile for Bangladesh Sultana Khatun and Rabeya Khan were the only ones that were able to pick up a wicket, with the other two wickets to fall being run outs from Fahima Khatun and Nigar Sultana Joty.

The third ODI of the series is set to take place on Wednesday.