Bangers have been well and truley mashed in the Top End Tour. Despite the Baggygreens “resting” Ponting, Lee, Symonds and Hayden, it would be difficult to find a more one sided result.

The first match consisted of Australia batting first so we were at least guaranteed 50 overs of batting. Conditions were trying in tropical Darwin, which must have “helped” the visiting team, however this merely restricted Australia to 254 on a pitch that gave assistance to the bowlers.

It really was an ordinary ODI, with IPL star Sean Marsh’s 76 (105) and King Probot Mike Hussey’s 85 (123) guiding the Aussies to a respectable 254.

In response the Bangladeshis were systematically probed until any sign of weakness was pounced on, unable to put together any partnerships and eventually capitulating 180 runs behind after just 27.4 overs.

The highlight of the match was Mike Hussey pleading with Cameron White to not hit any more three’s as he was buggered. Guess his old body’s just not suited to the humidity.

Which brings us to game 2 of 3 in Darwin. Bangladesh again won the toss, and remembering Saturday’s disaster decided to have a shot at batting this time round. To their credit they do pass the 74 runs that were scored in the first match, and even managed a partnership of 38 so at least their improving.

Alas the Aussie bowling was too disciplined and only a late hiting spree from Ghosh and 18 extras got them past the 100 mark.

Due to Bangers being bowled out after 36.1 overs they had a 10 minute break and then got straight back in to it… Australia were cruising along after 9 overs at almost 6rpo needing a further 72 when for some bloody stupid reason they went off for a 40 minute lunch break, presumably to appease Channel 9′s Hi-5 commitments.

Watson went out lbw trying sweeping a ball on middle, and Clarke managed to get stumped while attempting to wrap up the series in the Powerplay overs… this at least gave the visitors something to smile about.

This however bought King Probot to the crease and he had no such ideas of heroism, prefering to prod and push 8 singles as we eased towards the modest target.

Eventually SOS Marsh ended the torture with 2 6 4, finishing as Man of the Match for his 69 (81). SOS has probably opened well enough to put some pressure on the absent queensland fisherman who plays a bit of cricket, unless he retires…

Michael Clarke keeps his 100% victory record as Australian Captain, and yes, I did write this entire blog for the sole purpose of using my “Bangers Mashed” pun, have been holding onto that one since last year