Nathan Lyon ran through the hosts’ top-order but Bangladesh found a way to come back on day one of the first Test against the visiting Australia. Follow all the action of the second day this Test match from the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong from 2pm (AEST) right here on The Roar.
A five-wicket haul for the off-spinner against a left-hand-heavy Bangladesh side had left them gasping for runs in the first half of the day’s play before Mushfiqur Rahim and Sabbir Rahman ensured the hosts ended day one on a note of respectability.
Having reduced Bangladesh to 5/117, Australia would have hoped for a better ending to the day but gruelling conditions and a lack of support from the other end for Lyon left them with a challenging day two ahead.
Already there are signs the pitch in Chittagong will slowly and steadily assist more and more spin – Lyon got a few with his straighter ones – and a score of 300 plus could be a challenging one. Bangladesh recovered from losing half their side for 117 to post 6/253 by stumps with Rahim still at the crease.
Captain Rahim was the stodgier of the two involved in their 105-run stand for the sixth wicket with Sabbir happy to take on the Australian bowlers. His 66 from 113 balls earned him comparisons with Virat Kohli by Lyon and took Bangladesh out of their early-day woes.
Ashton Agar was the only other wicket-taker with Stephen O’Keefe’s surprise recall to the squad – and to the playing XI – resulting in 20 wicketless overs on day one.
For a few moments, the team and the Aussie fans around the world would have held their collective breaths when their only fast bowler in the game, Pat Cummins, did not take the field after the tea break but it turned out to be a heat-related issue more than anything serious.
Lyon confirmed how tough it had been in sapping conditions.
“That’s up there with the hardest Test match cricket days I’ve ever had. This would be my 69th Test match and I don’t think I’ve been tested like that physically.”
He claimed the surface was good to bat without too much turn, but over time it can be expected to crumble a tad in those conditions.
By then, however, Australia will hope they can get down to the business of batting and get as close as possible to the Bangladesh first innings score.
Follow the live scores and blog of the second day of the second Test between Bangladesh and Australia from 2pm (AEST) here on The Roar.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
I've heard people suggest Warner has lost some of his power since he started doing more training focussed on cardiovascular fitness, I would suggest it's paying off for him here -- he'd been out there longer than Handscomb who looked about ready to keel over.
Scott Pryde
Expert
I hope you're right James... I really, really do.
Jameswm
Guest
Disagree Scott. He'll be fine once he gets some fluids, electrolytes, food etc into him.
Tigerbill44
Roar Guru
Australia's day no doubt. Feel a bit sorry for Handscomb. It's pretty hot and humid. Weather at Dhaka has cooled a bit. surely rain is coming in a day or two.
doogs
Guest
He looked pretty crook Scott. He desperately wanted to see it through
doogs
Guest
I agree with you. But you and I may be quite lonely lol. You will never stop the negative articles or posts. That is just how it is I'm afraid. Wish it were not so but it is. You will find more posts when we have a bad day. Even a couple of the journalists here get in on the act. If we perform well they have to point out the times we did not. I could name them but it's all rather pointless. That aside. Yes Bangladesh are no longer rubbish. They have some serious performers. It took True Grit by Smith, Warner and Handscomb today. It also shows how good Lyon was in his bowling. I must make mention of Wade as well. He has been a polarising figure no doubt, but I felt he has been far superior in his keeping than the Bangladeshi fellow in this test
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Great job thanks Suneer, poor old Hanscombe struggling out there, reminded me a little of Dean Jones on 86 tour of India. Anyway it will be interesting if the Aussies can continue on, they have fought there way back into it.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Handscomb is walking back to the pavillion, wouldn't have been surprised had a golf cart come out for him. He is in THAT bad a shape. But what's not bad is the Australian position - in fact they find themselves in a position they haven't in this series. Out and out their day today. First they bowled Bangladesh out for 305 and then have piled on 2/225 despite losing Matt Renshaw very early in the innings. Steven Smith retaliated with a half-century and then David Warner continued from where he had left off in the second innings of the Dhaka Test. He is batting on 88, gunning for back to back Test centuries, and giving him solid company in gruelling conditions is Handscomb on 69. Bangladesh need to do a lot more than they have with the ball today. Need a lot more bite, need a lot more spice...without which they might struggle even more tomorrow. Hope to see you tomorrow. Ciao.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Australia well on top now. Handscomb may not come back and bat tomorrow morning - he looked awful. Cheers Suneer.
Ouch
Guest
Great day for us. Well impressed with Smith, Warner and Handscomb
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Taijul will bowl the last over. Warner walks out and pushes him down to long-on for a single... ...Handscomb literally has to shrug himself out of a walk. Gets forward and defends the next ball, and repeats the same shot off the next. And then jumps down the track and defended off almost the middle of the pitch. Blocks out the fifth, and then leaves the final ball alone. Australia end day two at 2/225 in 64.
Liam
Guest
I clearly think the same. My issue is the amount of articles that refuse to grant credit where it's due. Bangladesh have brought their best cricket, and it is demonstratively better than it has been in the past. To slight it by overblowing Australia's failures with the ball - as has happened on this site, when discussing how in the first test the bowlers "let the batsmen make too many runs", which is me paraphrasing an article - when it is almost completely the batsmen's fault that we lost the first test is to show a complete lack of respect for Bangladesh, who have won a test against us on their own merit. If we win this, it'll be because we beat them, not because they were rubbish. Give them that respect.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Two singles from the Mehedi Hasan over. Absolutely no bite for him. 2/224 in 63. One more over to go for the day's play.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Talk of how the heat's gotten to Handscomb. Wonder how much of it will be affecting the bowlers, the spinners as well, given that they aren't getting any purchase from the pitch at this stage.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Handscomb wants to go back and cut but is left with no power in his shot. Pops it back to short extra-cover. Defends the next two balls before a fielder gets brought in to silly mid-off. Handscomb jumps out and drives it to mid-off. No scope of a single. Too knackered. Jumps out again and this time gets it to square-leg for a single. Warner plays out the over. Two more to go now. 2/222 in 62
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Three overs to go. Taijul will be bowling this one and Handscomb will face.
Simoc
Guest
Great effort by Handscomb. I didn't think he was up to it. They bring out chairs to sit on in the drinks break, plus an umbrella holder. Wot a life if you can stay in long enough.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Handscomb continues to struggle. Oh man, he isn't looking too good. At some point this might be more than just being mentally strong and become a health hazard. 2/221 in 61.
doogs
Guest
I thought getting them out for 305 was pure gold. Their middle order performed well and I can't be critical of our performance
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Sabbir is off the attack and in comes Taijul. The first ball's quite short and it's cut away through the covers for two more. Defends the next one off the front foot, and then a late cut for a single. Four from the over. 2/218 in 60.