Australia allrounder Sophie Molineux has made a triumphant return to 50-over international cricket in a six-wicket trouncing of Bangladesh.
Molineux, in her first ODI since 2021, claimed 3-10 from 10 overs to help bowl Bangladesh out for 97 in 44.1 overs at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka on Sunday.
In reply, Australia cruised to 4-98 in 23.5 overs to take a two-nil lead in the three-game series.
Molineux returned to the Australian set-up last month for the first time since October 2021 after suffering a foot stress fracture and then a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in a knee.
After being overlooked for game one of the Bangladesh series, the 26-year-old on Sunday produced a top-shelf spell of left-arm spin bowling which included five maiden overs.
Molineux claimed three of the initial five wickets to fall and Bangladesh at one stage had slipped to 8-61 in the 32nd over.
Her feats came as Megan Schutt (1-7 from six overs), Ashleigh Gardner (2-22 from 10), Georgia Wareham (2-26 from eight) and Alana King (1-15 from six) collectively overwhelmed the Bangladeshi batters.
Only No.9 Nahida Akter (22) passed 11 runs with 20 extras - 18 wides and two leg byes - the next-highest contributor.
Australia's batters then reeled in their target with Ellyse Perry top-scoring with an unbeaten 35 from 50 balls.
Openers Alyssa Healy (15) and Phoebe Litchfield (five), Beth Mooney (eight) and Tahlioa McGrath (10) fell cheaply.
But Perry combined with Ashleigh Gardner (20no from 23 balls) to steer the Australians to a comfortable victory.
Australia won the opening ODI by 118 runs three days ago with Wednesday's third game to be followed by three T20 internationals.
