McGrath became the most successful World Cup bowler of all time as Australia restricted Bangladesh to 6-104 in a contest reduced to 22 overs per side.

Adam Gilchrist (59no) then bagged his 50th one-day international 50 as he and his opening partner Matthew Hayden completed the formalities at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

Australia therefore go further clear at the top of the table, with six points so far after a fifth straight win of this Caribbean campaign.

Bangladesh fell foul of McGrath's accuracy and lost three top-order wickets to the veteran, who finished with 3-16 in his five overs.

It was only the rearguard batting of Saqibul Hasan and captain Habibul Bashar and some late hitting from the promoted Mashrafe Mortaza which just about rescued a three-figure total.

There was plenty of typically gung-ho intent but little to show for Bangladesh's strokeplayers - put in following a five-hour delay because of overnight rain.

Tamim Iqbal, confined to his crease by Gilchrist standing up to Nathan Bracken, tried a big hit anyway but managed to get the ball airborne only as far as mid-on from the bottom of a cross bat.

Brad Hogg took an easy catch, and an over later Shahriar Nafees was yorked by McGrath to take the 37-year-old level with Wasim Akram as the top wicket-taker in the history of this competition.

After Aftab Ahmed then helped to take 14 from Shaun Tait's first over, he had the distinction of becoming McGrath's record-breaking 56th victim - well caught by Bracken above his head at mid-off.

McGrath made it 57 for good measure in his next over, Mohammad Ashraful getting underneath another attempted hit over the top and falling to a well-judged steepling catch by Ricky Ponting at mid-on.

Australia suffered a setback when all-rounder Shane Watson hurt his left calf four balls into his second over and had to leave the field.

It was a worrying development for a player who missed this winter's Ashes because of a persistent hamstring problem in the same leg.

Saqibul and Habibul needed nine overs to add 28 and were parted when the former tried to give himself room only to nick Tait behind.

The captain escaped on 13, Hogg failing to hold a return catch, and he and Mortaza combined to put on 32 in five overs.

It seemed highly unlikely to be enough - and although Gilchrist had one early moment of fortune when he edged Tapash Baisya for four between wicketkeeper and slip, the same bowler was soon leaking a stream of boundaries.

By the time Baisya limped out of the attack after appearing to injure his ankle in delivery stride, the Australia 50 was already up - in less than six overs.

Bangladesh's battery of left-arm spin was testing enough thereafter to delay the inevitable - but nothing more.

Gilchrist brought up his landmark half-century with a drive over wide long-off from the bowling of Mohammad Rafique for a six to go with his seven fours off 41 balls, and Australia were soon home with more than eight overs to spare.

Bangladesh innings
Tamim Iqbal c Hogg b Bracken 3 (14)
Shahriar Nafees b McGrath 1 (4)
Aftab Ahmed c Bracken b McGrath 11 (7)
Saqibul Hasan c Gilchrist b Tait 25 (36)
Mohammad Ashraful c Ponting b McGrath 6 (8)
Habibul Bashar c Ponting b Bracken 24 (43)
Mashrafe Mortaza not out 25 (17)
Mushfiqur Rahim not out 2 (3)
Extras 7 (7w)
Total 104 (for 6 wkts: 22 overs)

FoW: 1-4, 2-8, 3-25, 4-37, 5-65, 6-97.

Bowling
Bracken 4-0-20-2 (1w)
McGrath 5-0-16-3 (1w)
Tait 4-0-28-1 (4w)
Watson 1.4-0-4-0
Hogg 5-0-20-0
Symonds 2.2-0-16-0

Australian innings
Gilchrist not out 59 (44)
Hayden not out 47 (39)
Total 106 (without loss; 13.5 overs)

Bowling
Mashrafe Mortaza 4-0-20-0
Tapash Baisya 2.5-0-35-0
Aftab Ahmed 0.1-0-1-0
Abdur Razzak 3-0-15-0
Mohammad Rafique 3-0-21-0
Saqibul Hasan 0.5-0-14-0

Sportal