Fatullah, (Bangladesh): Ricky Ponting struck an unbeaten century on Thursday as Australia stumbled to a three-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the first cricket Test.
Top-ranked Australia had to sweat for the win after losing three wickets in the first session in search of the final runs required to avoid a major upset to Bangladesh, cricket's bottom-ranked Test playing nation.
The visitors reached the victory target of 307 runs just after lunch on the fifth and final day, with Pointing playing a captain's knock to finish the match unbeaten on 118. He smashed 13 boundaries in his 253-ball innings.
Tailender Jason Gillespie brought up the win with a single to finish four not out. "Yes, it was a sigh of relief," a smiling Pointing said after the match.
Australia resumed on the overnight score of 212-4, requiring 95 runs for the win, but was forced to endure a nerve wracking first session that saw the loss of Adam Gilchrist (12), Shane Warne (5) and Brett Lee (29).
Australia's hopes of avoiding embarrassment then rested with captain Ponting and the tailenders on a deteriorating Fatullah Osmani Stadium pitch.
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