Australia wrapped up a 3-0 series whitewash over Bangladesh today but victory came after a scare in the third one-day cricket international at Darwin's TIO Stadium.
The home side posted a mediocre 5-198 from their 50 overs, and had the run of play against them as the tourists reached 3-82 in reply, when they were a chance to post a massive upset.
But five wickets between allrounders James Hopes and Shane Watson wrested back control for Australia, who eventually secured what was a comfortable, 73-run win.
This match was easily the closest of the series, following Australia's 180-run win last Saturday and their eight-wicket victory last Wednesday.
Teenage opener Tamim Iqbal's splendid innings of 63 put the minnows in a position to equal the upset victory over the world champions they achieved in 2005 in Cardiff.
But once Shakib Al Hasan fell for 27 in the 17th over, Bangladesh's pursuit ran out of spark as Tamim slowly ran out of partners.
The 19-year-old was eventually the eighth man out, slicing in the air to third man after an innings containing five fours and a sweet, straight six.
Hopes took a career-best 3-30 and Watson 2-8 from five overs.
Bangladesh lost their last six wickets for 43 runs (Shahadat Hossain did not bat because of an injured hand), after they had recovered from 3-22.
While Australia did it well in the field, there was some concern in the batting, as they laboured against some tight bowling and had three batsmen run out.
Thankfully for the home side, Mike Hussey again rose to top score with 57 not out, while opener Shaun Marsh made 30 and Cameron White an unbeaten 22.
With the scoring rate slow throughout the innings, Watson, acting captain Michael Clarke and David Hussey were all out to Kamikaze-type running over 12 overs.
Watson (27) was caught short when called through for a quick single by his captain and two overs later Clarke (25) was out after a moment's hesitation with Mike Hussey, and beaten by Alok Kapali's direct hit.
Clarke's 66-ball knock followed scratchy stays of 14 and one in the earlier matches.
David Hussey (11) also paid the price by daring Bangladesh to hit the stumps, after he drove straight to Mohammad Ashraful and was two metres short when the Bangladesh skipper hit.
Left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak (1-22 from 10 overs) bowled beautifully for Bangladesh and had Brad Haddin caught at cover for 16, while spin partner Shakib (0-25 from 10) also did well.
Marsh, with previous scores of 76 and 69 not out, and Mike Hussey, who made 85 and eight not out in the first two games, were the only two Australian batsman to consistently fire this series.
But the bowlers again did well, as Stuart Clark claimed 2-12 today to follow returns of 1-18 and 2-16, while Mitchell Johnson 1-36 after hauls of 2-10 and 3-17.
Scores: AUSTRALIA 5-198 from 50 overs (M Hussey 57no S Marsh 30 Abdur Razzak 1-22); BANGLADESH 125 from 29.5 overs (Tamim Iqbal 63 J Hopes 3-30 S Watson 2-8 S Clark 2-12).
