Shane Watson hit a record 15 sixes to guide Australia to a series-clinching nine-wicket win over Bangladesh in Mirpur. The 29-year-old, who also hit 15 fours, ended on 185 not out after smashing the most sixes ever in a one-day international innings as the tourists moved into an unassailable 2-0 lead.
Watson's knock – which came from just 96 balls as his side chased down their 230 victory target with 24 overs to spare – was the highest one-day innings ever made by an Australian. He had earlier also taken two catches and a wicket as the hosts made 229 for seven.
"That was probably the best innings I've ever seen," the new Australian captain, Michael Clarke, said. "He hit the ball so cleanly from the first ball and what an amazing achievement. It was great to sit and watch that. The way he played, he managed to get the runs quite easily."
Watson attributed luck – and the hot sub-continental conditions – to the way his innings played out. "[It was] just one of those days when everything you try comes off," he said.
"You get a little bit of luck along the way which helps as well. I had no idea [about the record]. It was just that I was pretty tired and I didn't want to run too much. It was just quite hot and humid so I thought I'd limit my running and hit a few boundaries and it worked out nicely."
The Bangladesh captain, Shakib Al Hasan, added: "We thought we put on a good, reasonable total. We thought we could fight it out. But we didn't put the ball in the right areas. And Watson batted really well. He took the game away from us and deserves all the credit."
