Published: Aug 27, 2017, 05:37 PM (IST)
Edited: Aug 27, 2017, 05:37 PM (IST)
Australia struggle with 18 runs on the board having lost their three batsmen on opening day of the first Test against Bangladesh. Earlier, the hosts were bundled for 260 at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur. They were off to a tumbling start as Pat Cummins did not let the top order settle. He got rid of Soumya Sarkar, Imrul Kayes and Sabbir Rahman in eight deliveries to reduce Bangladesh to 10 for 3. It was the partnership between Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal that helped Bangladesh revive after the initial disappointment. The partnership was broken in the second session of the day and no other big partnership was formed post that. At stumps of Day One, Australia are trailing by 242 runs. Steven Smith (3*) is unbeaten with Matt Renshaw (6*).
Winning the toss, Bangladesh elected to bat in search of a good total. However, it was not until Shakib and Tamim put up their partnership that Bangladesh got their real start. The two batted intelligently, with a lot of patience. They judged the balls right and made good use of feet, unlike the previous three. Both scored half-centuries. The partnership was broken by Glenn Maxwell, as he got Tamim for 71. Shakib also followed suit soon, departing for 84. None of the Bangladesh batsmen managed another big partnership, the next being the 42-run partnership between Nasir Hossain and Mehedi Hasan. Nathan Lyon finished with a 3-for, surpassing Richie Benaud’s Test tally of 348 wickets in the process.
Shafiul Islam and Mehedi Hasan opened bowling. Shafiul produced chances in the very first over, bowling in the right areas. Bangladesh got their first breakthrough soon after, as Mehedi got Warner for 8. Warner expected turn but there was hardly any and there was no bat involved, unlike the previous one. The next to depart was Usman Khawaja, who threw his wicket in a horrible run out. He pushed the ball down towards cover but not far and runs for a single straight away. Though he was sent back by Renshaw, Mushfiqur Rahim had collected the ball by the time and threw it to Sarkar who took the bails off at wicketkeeper’s end.
Australia’s ploy of sending Lyon as nightwatchman also failed as he was trapped leg before by Shakib in his very first over. Lyon struggled in front of the top-ranked all-rounder, and was sent back for 6-ball duck.
Brief scores:
Bangladesh 260 (Tamim Iqbal 71, Shakib Al Hasan 84, Nasir Hossain 23; Pat Cummins 3 for 29, Nathan Lyon 3 for 79, Ashton Agar 3 for 46) lead Australia 18 for 3 (Mehedi Hasan 1 for 7, Shakib Al Hasan 1 for 3) by 242 runs.
