Australia crushed Bangladesh by eight wickets in the second one-day international yesterday to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in their three-game series.

The Australians showed no mercy as they coasted to victory with more than 27 overs to spare after bowling the visitors out for just 117 then racing to 118 for two in reply.

Left-hander Shaun Marsh top-scored with an unbeaten 69 while his fellow opener Shane Watson made a brisk 29 as the world champion followed up its 180-run win last Saturday with another lopsided victory.

The third and final match is on Saturday, also at Darwin's Marrara Cricket Ground.

"We're winning one-day international games for our country, which is the most important thing," Australia's acting captain Michael Clarke said. "It doesn't matter who you play against, in our team, in our culture, you want to win every game you play."

Wicketkeeper Dhiman Ghosh top-scored for Bangladesh with a defiant 30 while Mitchell Johnson was the pick of the Australian bowlers after capturing 3-17.

Bangladesh made a terrible start to its innings after winning the toss and electing to bat when Tamim Iqbal was dismissed first ball and two more wickets tumbled inside the first six overs.

The tourists recovered to at least eclipse their embarrassing total of 74 from the weekend but were unable to post a target to seriously challenge the Australians.

"We don't see this as an improvement, we are a much better side than this," said Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful.

Marsh, the son of former test batsmen Geoff Marsh, followed up his 76 from the series opener with another half-century that featured nine fours and a six.

He also put on 73 for the opening wicket with Watson before the latter was trapped leg before wicket by spinner Shakib al-Hasan, who also snared the prized wicket of Clarke.

(Agencies via Shanghai Daily September 4, 2008)