FATULLAH: Skipper Ricky Ponting struck an unbeaten century on Thursday to spare Australia the blushes as the World champion struggled to a three-wicket victory over Test minnows Bangladesh.

At the start of a tense final day, Australia, resuming at 212 for four, required a further 95 runs to reach the winning target. Though three wickets were lost in the morning session, Ponting's 118 not only anchored the innings but also saw his team go one up in the two-match series.

In the end, it was down to tail-ender Jason Gillespie to block out at one end as Ponting completed a memorable win after Australia had conceded a huge 158-run first innings lead.

Costly miss

Ponting survived a chance on 97 when his attempted pull, off paceman Shahadat Hossain, was put down by Mashrafe Mortaza at fine-leg. Australia needed another 24 runs to win at that stage with Gillespie at the other end.

The let-off allowed Ponting to reach his 31st Test century with a drive through covers off Mortaza in the next over. Ponting, 72 overnight, batted for over six hours and hit 13 fours in his 253-ball knock.

"This was one of my better centuries as the team needed the runs desperately. We really had to work hard for our runs and full credit to the Bangladesh bowlers for their fine job in the match," said Ponting.

"They were really good in these conditions but I want to see how they fare in Australia," added the Aussie skipper.

Ponting said his team learned from the mistakes in its poor first innings performance. "We have learned quickly from the first innings mistakes. That's why we bounced back in the second innings," he said.

A thorn in the flesh again

Rafique once again proved to be a thorn in Australia's flesh as he followed up his five wickets in the first innings with a four-wicket haul that included two early breakthroughs on Thursday morning.

When the overnight pair of Ponting and first-innings century-maker Adam Gilchrist was at the crease, it seemed Australia would reach the target with ease. But once Rafique bowled Gilchrist (12) and trapped Shane Warne (five) leg-before, the visiting side began to struggle for runs and a humiliating defeat was a distinct possibility.

Paceman Mortaza forced an edge from Brett Lee (29) with the second new ball after he had hit three fours and a six in a vital partnership with his captain.

"This has been a very good match for us as it has taught us how to fight hard against top teams. We think we achieved a victory in dragging the match to its fifth day against a mighty team,'' said the Bangladesh skipper Habibul Bashar. "It has been satisfying in the end but I thought we lost the match in our second innings,''

Bangladesh had lost its two previous Tests against Australia in 2003 by an innings.

It had won only one of its previous 42 Tests since 2000, that victory coming over a depleted Zimbabwe side.

The second and final Test starts in Chittagong on Sunday. — Agencies

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