Australia opener Watson hits record 15 sixes

DHAKA, (Reuters) – Shane Watson struck a world  record 15 sixes in an unbeaten innings of 185 from only 96 balls  to take Australia to a crushing nine wicket victory over  Bangladesh in the second one-day international today.
Watson, who also cracked 15 boundaries, broke the previous  record of 12 set by Xavier Marshal of West Indies who struck 12  sixes against Canada at King City in 2008.
His innings is also the highest one-day innings by an  Australian, surpassing Matthew Hayden’s 181 against New Zealand  in 2007. It took Australia to 232 for one from just 26 overs  after their bowlers had restricted Bangladesh to 229 for seven.
Watson looked in ominous touch from the start, hitting  paceman Shafiul Islam for three boundaries in the first over,  before striking Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan for a six in  the third over.
He was particularly harsh on left-arm spinner Suhrawadi  Shuvo, striking him for four sixes off consecutive deliveries in  the 22nd over shortly after he had been dropped twice.
Watson completed his century in just 69 balls with a  boundary through extra cover off Shafiul and was dropped by  Abdur Razzak off the next ball at long-on.
Two overs later left-arm spinner Razzak was unlucky not to  get his wicket when Raqibul Hasan dropped a simple catch at deep  mid-wicket with the batsman on 114.
Watson never looked back and added 85 runs off only 27 balls  after completing his sixth ODI century.
His unbroken second wicket stand with former captain Ricky  Ponting (37 not out) yielded 170 runs.
Brad Haddin (8) was the only batsman out in Australian  innings when he was caught by Mahmudullah at mid-wicket off  Shakib.
Bangladesh thought they had a fighting chance after a late  rally by wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim helped them get past the  200 mark.
Rahim was 81 not out facing just 80 balls as the home side  added 59 runs in the last five overs after the Australian  pacemen had them struggling at 88 for five at one stage.  Shahriar Nafees scored 56 off 73 balls.
Mitchell Johnson was the most successful of the Austarlian  bowlers with three for 54.
Australia won the first game in the three-match series by 60  runs. The third and final match will be staged at the same venue  on Wednesday.