A fighting comeback from Bangladesh wasn’t enough to prevent Australia from taking a lead, but has it reached substantial enough proportions? Follow all the action of the fourth day of this Test match from the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong from 1:20pm (AEST) right here on The Roar.
By stumps on day two, Australia had got themselves into a position from which they could have batted Bangladesh out of the game.
It wasn’t the most spiteful of pitches. And the sapping weather, as much it had affected Peter Handscomb on the second day, looked like it had taken the juice out of the Bangladeshi bowling as well. Meanwhile, that early morning shower would have not only cooled things down a tad but also given the batsmen some extra recovery time.
Instead, Australia were left with another collapse that restricted their lead to 72 by stumps, and with just one wicket standing it might not be much more than that. What was interesting to watch was that the batsmen would come in, get themselves set, and when it looked like the danger of falling away quickly had elapsed, they fell.
Handscomb should have kicked on to get to his 100. Instead, he backed up too far in a bid to help David Warner through to his century and was left run-out.
Hilton Cartwright made 18 confident runs and then departed to a poorly-executed drive to a wide ball outside off.
Matthew Wade knew there was a reverse-swinging yorker coming but failed to get his bat down in time.
Even Ashton Agar battled his way through to 22 – that needed 35 balls – and then attempted a drive against the turn and from the rough. Bowled.
Glenn Maxwell battled hard for his 38, eschewing risk after having been once early in the innings before one snuck through, got some inside edge and was unfortunate to have been caught the way he was.
The good news, however, is that Australia are in the lead. If they can try and push it up to 100, there looks to be enough in the surface for the slow bowlers. If pace bowler Mustafizur Rahman’s spell is anything to go by, Pat Cummins could well be relishing bowling a few in short bursts as well.
There is that rain factor too. Rain is predicted on both the remaining two days, which could allow Bangladesh the leeway of batting for much a shorter time to save the game. At this stage, however, Australia need to think of trying to bowl their opposition out quickly.
They will take heart from the fact that Bangladesh haven’t been extraordinary with the bat in the series, with scores of 260, 221 and 305 to their name.
Follow the live scores and blog of the fourth day of the second Test between Bangladesh and Australia from 1:20pm (AEST) here on The Roar.
DavSa
Guest
Bring it on . We here in SA seldom see India on our own patch. Quite sad really as SA have the largest Indian population in the world outside of India and as a result interest is always high if they tour . But yes they must not expect any favors and expect all wickets to be green and ripe.
Nudge
Guest
2nd innings
Nudge
Guest
In fact, Australia have been nothing short of outstanding since the overhaul after the second test against RSA. Won that dead rubber, as underdogs smashed Pakistan 3-0 had an absolute cracking series against India and were favourites to win that series at some stage during the 4th innings of the 4th test and after having a poor first test in Bangladesh bounced back strong to level the series. Thinks are heading skywards.
Don Freo
Guest
He just did what every keeper does...took his chances. He still conceded byes and scored nothing. That's a really low bar, Matting Wicket.
Matting wicket
Guest
I think it's important to give some credit to the much maligned Mat Wade, I thought his work was outstanding this game. A couple of his stumpings were brilliant. It's very clear that he has worked very hard on his keeping and Haddin must take some credit for that also. Interesting that his batting has slipped as his keeping improved.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Now that was a cracking series. Such a pity there isn't a third Test. Bangladesh played well and the Aussies showed that they are bunnies in Asia no longer.
republican
Guest
.......a tad farcical that NZ are ranked higher than us in ICC. They very rarely compete with us at this version of the game. That said they are more than competitive and in fact superior at the truncated versions of Cricket...........
Ouch
Guest
Well done lads
Ouch
Guest
Thanks for the call mate
Simon
Guest
Don't forget the crest!
Simon
Guest
What started as a nothing series threatened by a pay dispute, security and the weather ended up being absolutely fascinating and I loved every second of it. Bangladesh have become a good cricket side and I'd love to see more of them
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Thanks Scott, doogs. Real pity any Test series consists of just two Tests but more so ones like these that are so well-fought.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
And a cast of thousands to boot ! Really good series by both teams. Bangladesh are much improved and tough to beat at home. Well done to the Aussies on a good win, Lyon and Warner both fantastic and deserved players of the series.
doogs
Guest
so true. well said Nate. Warner, Handscombe Cummins and Lyon outstanding. Also kudos to Wade. He normally drives me mad but felt he was excellent in this test
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
So that's that. End of a good Test series, an exciting series that could have gone either way in both games. Given good pitches, surfaces that help bowling, you are bound to get such games and the talks of a dying format can be put to bed. I am done for now, but hope to be back for the ODI series between Australia and India that begins from September 17. Till then, ciao.
Scott Pryde
Expert
That was the most disorganised presentation I've ever seen.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Warner credits his former opener, Chris Rogers for being able to work his game-plan in these conditions. And is candid enough to add, "it's taken me just 15 Test matches to work things out." Ha.
Nate
Guest
Great performance to bounce back after the first test. Lots of positives to be taken from it. Warner, Handscombe, even Wade with some tidy work with the gloves, and Cummins toiling hard. Lyon outstanding.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Nathan Lyon has been declared the man-of-the-match. The man-of-the-series award will be shared by David Warner and Nathan Lyon. Nine wickets in the first game, 13 wickets in the second Test for him. 22 wickets at 14 odd for Lyon. Back to back centuries in the two Tests for Warner. This reminds of the game that was played yesterday. A one-off T20I between Sri Lanka and India. There was a Most Valuable Player award, a Man-of-the-Match award and then a Man-of-the-Series award. All for a one-off T20I.
doogs
Guest
Thank you Suneer. Appreciate your efforts. You've done really well. Great series. I really enjoyed it as I did the Indian series.