Gilchrist leads Australia to victory

CHITTAGONG, Bangladesh, Apr 23 (Reuters) Adam Gilchrist steered Australia to a four-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the first one-day international today.

The opener struck a rapid 76 from 46 balls as Australia made hard work of reaching a moderate target after they had bowled out the hosts for 195.

Man of the match Gilchrist, who smashed five huge sixes, was the first to fall with the score on 96 in only the 11th over but Australia were pegged back and lost five more wickets before clinching victory in 44 overs.

''We had a few irresponsible shots and cheap dismissals and that made the situation difficult for us,'' Gilchrist told reporters.

Australia were 174 for six at one stage but Mike Hussey calmed their nerves with an unbeaten 36 from 61 balls, although he did survive a run out chance.

Abdur Razzak was the most dangerous Bangladesh bowler, taking three for 36, including the wickets of Gilchrist and Australia captain Ricky Ponting. He also removed Andrew Symonds lbw without scoring.

Earlier Australia's bowling attack took wickets at regular intervals to restrict Bangladesh to a modest 195 in 47 overs after the hosts had won the toss and elected to bat.

Only Habibul Bashar offered serious resistance with 52, his 11th one-day fifty, before being stumped by Gilchrist off the bowling of Brad Hogg who ended with three wickets.

There were also two wickets each for Lee, Nathen Bracken and Symonds while paceman Mitchell Johnson claimed his first one-day international wicket.

Despite the defeat, Bangladesh coach Dav Whatmore found some positives for the rest of the three-match series.

''We played good one-day cricket between 20 to 40 overs, although we lost too many early wickets,'' he said.

The final two matches of the series will be played in Fatullah on Wednesday and Friday.

REUTERS PM PM1828