Published: Sep 05, 2017, 05:18 PM (IST)
Edited: Sep 05, 2017, 05:18 PM (IST)
David Warner played anchor as three half-centuries propelled Australia to 225 for 2 at stumps of Day Two of the second Test against Bangladesh. At Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong on Tuesday, Australia first bundled the hosts for a par score of 305. Bangladesh replied with bagging the wicket of Matt Renshaw early on. However, post the early strike, it was Australia who dominated with impressive batting performances coming from Steven Smith, Warner and Peter Handscomb. Australia trail by 80 runs at stumps with Warner (88*) and Handscomb (69*) at the crease.
Nathan Lyon was the star with the ball for Australia, bagging 7 wickets in the first innings. Reduced to 256 for 6 at stumps of Day One, Bangladesh lost the rest of their wickets early on Tuesday, with no exceptional contribution coming from the tail-enders. Ashton Agar bagged two wickets. Bangladesh put up good fight to get rid of Renshaw before lunch, bringing themselves back into the game.
Post lunch, it was mainly a Steven Smith-show. Not a bit tensed about the early loss of wicket, the Australia captain looked exceptionally comfortable batting against hosts bowlers. He put up his half-century but departed for 58 off Taijul Islam’s first delivery of the day.
Warner continued batting with Handscomb to bring up the team score of hundred. Bangladesh failed to achieve any success with the ball in the final session of the day. Handscomb’s batting was commendable as he took very little time to adjust at the crease. Both notched up half-centuries and register the second big partnership of the innings. They gradually took the team’s score past 200 and Australia to a commanding position. With only 81 runs to take the lead and 8 wickets in hand, Australia sure are dominating in the game and look eager to save the series.
If Australia manage to register a huge total past 450, it will become tougher for Bangladesh to bat against Lyon on Day Three and Four, who has already ripped the line-up apart once.
Brief scores:
Bangladesh 305 (Mushfiqur Rahim 68, Sabbir Rahman 66, Nasir Hussain 45; Nathan Lyon 7 for 94, Ashton Agar 2 for 52) lead Australia 225 for 2 (David Warner 88*, Steven Smith 58, Peter Handscomb 69*; Mustafizur Rahman 1 for 45, Taijul Islam 1 for 50) by 80 runs.
