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(adds result) FATULLAH, Bangladesh, April 13 - Australia
captain Ricky Ponting scored a brave unbeaten century to lead
Australia to a three-wicket win over Bangladesh in the first
test on Thursday. Ponting finished unbeaten on 118, nursing the tailenders on
the final day to steer Australia to their victory target of 307
and deny Bangladesh only their second victory in 43 tests. Ponting received solid support from fast bowlers Brett Lee
(29) and Jason Gillespie (seven not out) after wicketkeeper
Adam Gilchrist, who scored a century in the first innings, and
Shane Warne had fallen early to give Bangladesh a scent of
victory. Bangladesh, who scored 427 in their first innings before
bowling Australia out for 269 to take charge of the match, lost
their two previous tests against Australia in 2003 by an
innings. They had won only one of their previous 42 tests
since 2000, that victory coming over a depleted Zimbabwe side. The second and final test starts in Chittagong on Sunday.
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