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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Sport
Jonathan Howcroft, Adam Collins and Sam Perry

Bangladesh v Australia: first Test, day two – as it happened

Shakib Al Hasan
Shakib Al Hasan starred for Bangladesh as they dominated Australia on the second day of the first Test in Dhaka. Photograph: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

And here’s the day’s report from Dhaka:

Close of day two - Bangladesh lead by 88 runs with nine wickets remaining

That was another absorbing day of Test cricket and one that ends with Bangladesh very much in the ascendancy.

Australia began the day at 18-3 chasing Bangladesh’s first-innings 260 but the visiting top order could only muster one partnership of note and once the pair responsible - Renshaw and Handscomb - had both been removed the visitors were staring at a sizeable deficit. Fortunately for them the lower order batted superbly, nursing the total to 217 shortly after Tea. Agar looked a Test allrounder during his 41 not out and Cummins supported him ably during his 90-ball stay at the crease.

Shakib Al Hasan was the pick of the bowlers for Bangladesh, earning the five-wicket haul he required to collect a full set of five-fors against all other Test playing nations. It took him longer than he might have expected though, courtesy of some poor fielding and the old ball becoming increasingly ineffective on a surface becalmed in comparison to what we saw on day one.

Australia’s bowlers found similar issues when they had a second crack at Bangladesh’s batsmen and it took a moment of madness from Soumya to offer the tourists a glimmer of hope during 22 largely fruitless overs late in the day.

Bangladesh have put themselves in a very strong position. Can they ram home the advantage over the three remaining days, dodge the showers and pull off a famous victory? Join us back here tomorrow to find out.

Bangladesh dominated the second day of the first Test against Australia in Dhaka, including the dismissal of Matthew Wade for five.
Bangladesh dominated the second day of the first Test against Australia in Dhaka, including the dismissal of Matthew Wade for five. Photograph: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Updated

22nd over: Bangladesh 45-1 (Tamim 30, Taijul 0)

Taijul Islam does his job and sees out the final over of the day to complete a very strong performance by Bangladesh.

21st over: Bangladesh 44-1 (Tamim 28, Taijul 0)

I still can’t believe that dismissal. That was the daftest shot you could imagine, and how Khawaja eventually managed to cling onto what should have been a straightforward catch I’ll never know.

Taijul Islam is in as the nightwatchman and he navigates the remainder of the penultimate over of the day.

WICKET! Soumya c Khawaja b Agar 15 (Bangladesh 43-1)

You cannot believe it. Two overs left in the day and out of absolute nowhere Soumya launches an almighty heave at Agar. It spirals miles in the air straight down the throat of Usman Khawaja at long on who takes four (4) attempts to catch it. First above his head, then with his left hand as a reflex grab, then clutching it close to his groin, and finally somewhere near his ankles like a yo-yo trick. Crazy crazy cricket late in the day.

20th over: Bangladesh 43-0 (Tamim 28, Soumya 15)

A more probing over from Lyon, drawing Tamim forward on a few occasions and finding the outside half of his bat, but nothing results of any significance.

19th over: Bangladesh 42-0 (Tamim 28, Soumya 14)

Not much doing again for Agar but one delivery showed that when he can find some bounce off a length the pitch remains dangerous. Tamim did well in the end smothering the delivery with soft hands just short of leg slip, but it’s an example of how frustrating this session has been for Australia.

Bangladesh seem content to play through to the close now, which is just three overs away.

18th over: Bangladesh 40-0 (Tamim 26, Soumya 14)

Bangladesh continuing to deal with Lyon until a miraculous fifth delivery somehow fails to claim a wicket. Soumya plays back and the ball creeps between his thighs, loses all momentum and then drops to the ground inches in front of the stumps before trickling into the base of middle, without enough force to dislodge the bails!

Updated

17th over: Bangladesh 39-0 (Tamim 25, Soumya 14)

Agar’s responded to Bangladesh’s approach by moving around the wicket. I’m sure there’s logic to it, but it seems to be denying his most obvious weapon - the footmarks outside the off stump. Tamim plays him safely from the crease, acquiring a single along the way before Soumya almost offers a half-chance with the final delivery, but again, not much to get excited about for Australia.

16th over: Bangladesh 38-0 (Tamim 24, Soumya 14)

Lyon’s spell continues and a rare delivery misbehaves and spits on Soumya, but it’s from short of a length. Not much is happening at the fuller length he needs to draw the batsmen into a shot, despite the affirmation of the wicketkeeper. “That’s real close to a nick Gaz,” lies Matthew Wade on stump-mic.

15th over: Bangladesh 38-0 (Tamim 24, Soumya 14)

Perhaps identifying the danger he poses with the rough at his disposal, Bangladesh are refusing to allow Agar to settle. Both batsmen are aiming to score runs out of Agar’s preferred landing zone, and then picking off the loose balls that are served up as a result.

14th over: Bangladesh 36-0 (Tamim 23, Soumya 13)

Pretty straightforward over from Lyon, around the wicket into Tamim’s dead bat in front of his pad somewhere around middle stump just leaning forward unobtrusively, working a single into the in-side for good measure.

Australia need some inspiration from somewhere.

13th over: Bangladesh 35-0 (Tamim 22, Soumya 13)

Batting hero Ashton Agar belatedly joins the attack and he immediately finds prodigious turn and bounce into the left-handers. Where Lyon and Maxwell had little rough to aim for spinning away, Agar has plenty in his favour spinning in.

Tamim only needs one sighter though, reverse sweeping and then slog sweeping out of that rough for runs. Soumya adopts a similar approach, looking for expansive drives at every opportunity. Agar immediately the most interesting proposition of Australia’s five bowlers.

12th over: Bangladesh 32-0 (Tamim 19, Soumya 13)

Better from Lyon, a maiden. Soumya reads a big ripping offie well in the flight but then adopts the same approach to the arm ball that only just misses off stump. Another grenade follows, perhaps forcing Soumya to miss out when there were runs available off his pads.

10 overs remaining, Bangladesh lead by 75.

11th over: Bangladesh 32-0 (Tamim 19, Soumya 13)

Maxwell remains in the attack and I’m not sure why. He’s not finding much turn or bounce with the newish ball and Bangladesh’s openers are playing him comfortably from the crease.

We saw with Australia’s lower order batting that this pitch is one where the new ball has to be maximised, and Australia are failing to do that so far.

10th over: Bangladesh 30-0 (Tamim 17, Soumya 13)

Lyon perhaps bowling a fraction quick and a tad full to really expose the turn and bounce on offer in this pitch. There’s definitely less on offer than in the first innings regardless though and Soumya Sarkar knows it, hoicking Lyon across the line for four through midwicket.

9th over: Bangladesh 24-0 (Tamim 16, Soumya 8)

Maxwell with the big appeal this time, looking for an LBW but Aleem Dar saw only a big inside edge. There’s a big inside edge again next ball, Tamim french-cutting just past his leg stump for four. Frustration growing for Australia, the lead up to 67.

8th over: Bangladesh 20-0 (Tamim 12, Soumya 8)

Australia temporarily excited about a catch behind and a possible stumping from the same Lyon delivery but Nigel Llong is unmoved and no review is called for. Otherwise Tamim is picking Lyon’s line and length smartly.

Steve Smith of Australia speaks to his players as they prepare to take to the field for the second innings during day two of the First Test match between Bangladesh and Australia.
Steve Smith of Australia speaks to his players as they prepare to take to the field for the second innings during day two of the First Test match between Bangladesh and Australia. Photograph: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

7th over: Bangladesh 19-0 (Tamim 11, Soumya 8)

Oooh, something a little bit funky from skipper Smith with Glenn Maxwell also getting an early bowl - perhaps reminding Tamim who took his wicket in the first innings?

It’s an inauspicious start for the Victorian though, both batsmen working boundaries with runs coming on both sides of the wicket.

6th over: Bangladesh 8-0 (Tamim 4, Soumya 4)

Nathan Lyon into the attack early as the shadows begin to creep across the square. There’s drift, turn and bounce from the off, Lyon beating the outside edge early before the rest of the over is dead-batted.

5th over: Bangladesh 8-0 (Tamim 4, Soumya 4)

Maiden for Hazlewood who continues his spell over the wicket, and he’s increasingly into his groove. Tamim looks assured at the crease though, adopting Agar’s approaching of playing the ball late with the weight on his front foot without planting an aggressive stride forward.

17 overs remaining in the day, Bangladesh lead by 51

4th over: Bangladesh 8-0 (Tamim 4, Soumya 4)

Still no rhythm to this new ball attack for now. Cummins switches around the wicket mid-over to the two left-handers and immediately looks more threatening, hitting the corridor of uncertainty at pace.

3rd over: Bangladesh 7-0 (Tamim 3, Soumya 4)

Australia not quite sure of their length yet, neither short and venomous nor full and swinging. Hazlewood’s beehive would be a series of unrelated red dots so far, rather than his usual cluster. Both Bangladesh openers watchful with anything straight, keeping Australia at bay for now.

2nd over: Bangladesh 6-0 (Tamim 2, Soumya 4)

Pat Cummins to share the new ball and Bangladesh will no doubt remember how effective he was with it in the first innings. Soumya Sarkar isn’t waiting to find out what might happen this time around, swinging and missing at his second delivery and then carving his fifth over cover for four.

There’s some fun and games off the last ball of the over with Soumya backing away from his stumps just as Cummins was in his gather, distracted by the bowler’s towel falling out in his run up. The paceman released the ball anyway and then exchanged a few words with the Bangladesh opener.

1st over: Bangladesh 2-0 (Tamim 2, Soumya 0)

We’re in for a fascinating hour or so of cricket with Australia desperately trying to take Bangladesh wickets without conceding a sizeable fourth-innings chase.

Hazelwood with the new ball, what will it do on this surface that began to look so benign with the old ball? Not as much as the first innings. Tamim is largely solid though one airy swish outside off excited the Australian fielders, but not Aleem Dar.

Five-for for the excellent Shakib Al Hasan, earning him a place in an exclusive club.

Australia all out for 217

Bangladesh take a 43-run first innings lead.

WICKET! Hazlewood c Kayes b Shakib 5 (Australia 217)

Bangladesh now allowing Agar runs all over the ground, and it’s a ploy that eventually works with Hazlewood nudging the first of the two deliveries he’s invited to defend into the safe hands of short-leg.

74th over: Australia 216-9 (Agar 40, Hazlewood 5)

Agar now going inside-out over the top of cover, treating Mehedi with disdain. Hazlewood continuing to hold his end up in return.

Excellent lower order batting from Australia, and in the last couple of hours this match has developed a different complexion.

I agree with Grafhamboy:

Glad to see Bangla continue to improve. I’m loving the way cricket’s been played there of late, tests and limited overs. Turning wickets with par 250-300 scores and bearpit atmospheres. It’s not just a minefield tho, as you can get in and play. Cummins a bit unlucky there.

73rd over: Australia 210-9 (Agar 35, Hazlewood 4)

Agar now trusting Hazlewood, accepting the singles on offer from Shakib, and the paceman responds confidently, nurdling a single into the on-side before driving firmly into the vacant extra cover region for three.

Bangladesh’s lead down to 50.

72nd over: Australia 204-9 (Agar 33, Hazlewood 0)

Hmmm, maybe I spoke too soon. An almighty mow across the line from AA misses the bat and a bouncing delivery from Mehedi hits him on his shoulder while he’s down on one knee. Chastened, he milks a single and gives Hazlewood one ball to defend - which he does.

71st over: Australia 203-9 (Agar 32, Hazlewood 0)

Agar is making a mockery of the conditions, driving gloriously through the covers for four to bring up Australia’s 200. Hazlewood then does his job again with his couple of deliveries on strike. Australia not going down without a fight here.

70th over: Australia 196-9 (Agar 25, Hazlewood 0)

Agar now looking to score runs and farm the strike as best he can. It’s a policy that begins well with a smartly run two followed by a neat single. Hazlewood sees out the over safely.

The first innings deficit now 64 runs.

69th over: Australia 193-9 (Agar 22, Hazlewood 0)

Wicket maiden for Shakib Al Hasan who now has 4-54 from his 23 overs.

Cummins lsated 90 deliveries, second only to Renshaw for the innings. Did an excellent job for his country.

WICKET! Cummins b Shakib 25 (Australia 193-9)

Cummins’ vigil ends on 25, and it’s a heartbreaking way to go, castled by Shakib Al Hasan’s third delivery, inside-edging onto pad and then the ball hitting his stumps. Cummins looked to drive but was late on it. Big moment for Bangladesh.

68th over: Australia 193-8 (Agar 22, Cummins 25)

Here we go, let’s see if there’s any change of approach from either side after the Tea break. Mehedi Hasan will have the first dart at the Australian batsmen, he has figures of 3-52 from his 22 overs so far.

Hmmmm, plus ca change plus c’est la meme chose from Bangladesh. A conservative field with few catchers around the bat for Agar who seems content propping forward and dead batting. The home side has really conceded a lot of momentum during this partnership. A maiden ensues with little to report from this soft ball on this deadening pitch.

In case you missed this incredible stat from earlier, it bears repeating.

The good news is the covers are off, the sun’s out and we should have play very soon.

Yes, Gary, yes it is. And no Gary, no you’re not.

Although, I fear that crush might crumble this winter with England’s brittle top order and Australia’s young hungry pace attack ready to roll.

Which means we have a slightly extended tea interval. Nor sure how extended, but I’ll keep you posted.

Speaking of weather, here’s a play in three acts told by Adam Collins of this parish.

I realised during that last post there was an opportunity for a nice portmanteau, the Bangwagon. I also realised the smutty among you would not let it get through to the keeper and my inbox would be bombarded with stories of debauched Contiki tours and rickety old Commodores that you couldn’t bear to part with because of the memories you’d never dare share with your in-laws.

Thanks Sam, this terrific partnership between Cummins and Agar has certainly slowed the Bangladesh bandwagon. On a few occasions today it looked as though Australia would be bowling before tea but some disciplined lower order batting has steadied the ship and shown that as difficult as this pitch is to score on, once the ball softens it is far from unplayable. The new ball is still 13 overs away.

To some extent Bangladesh only have themselves to blame. The Shafiul Islam drop off Cummins was poor and decisive. It coincided with the life seeping out of the ball and the pitch and with that drop the energy in the field drifted away also. What should have been a commanding lead for the home side is now at risk of becoming a deficit.

32 overs will be bowled during the evening session, which should take us shortly beyond 9pm AEST. That is of course unless the weather intervenes, and there are some menacing clouds nearby the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka.

TEA: Australia 193-8

Seventy runs and two wickets tells the mathematical story of a gripping session of Proper Test Match Cricket. For a second there it looked as though Australia would collapse disastrously after Matt Wade succumbed immediately to Mehidy in the first over after lunch. After planting his front foot down the wicket, he was beaten on the inside of his bat with one that, as they say, ‘looked bad’. It was bad enough for the umpire to give him and Maxwell concurred - he advised Wade to go though replays suggested a review may have helped.

Maxwell followed soon after, stumped from Shakib’s bowling following a characteristically bright innings. His approach looked sound but he danced once too often before Shakib worked him out.

With 8 wickets down and Bangladesh circling, Cummins and Agar set out to stay in. They withstood Shakib and Mehidy’s spitting cobra’s and eventually started to establish a foundation. As the majority of us (me) pondered the mode of the next dismissal, they confounded us all (me) by defending skilfully and countering intelligently. They take Australia to tea with a deficit of 67 - another hour of that and Australia may well consider themselves back in it. I’m not quite sure they’re close enough yet to start contemplating a momentous turnaround, but it’s been very encouraging stuff from Agar and Cummins.

I’ll hand over to JP Howcroft now to see you through to the close of play. Cheers for staying with me, and enjoy the rest of this.

67th over: Australia 193-8 (Agar 22, Cummins 25)

Nasir Hossain joins the attack for the first time to bowl the last one before tea. He has a low, slingy off-spinning action that somehow reminds me of a right handed Darren Lehmann. He has hair though, so the comparisons aren’t all perfect. Agar manages the Bangladesh Lehmann comfortably and picks up three more for his efforts too. He departs the scene with Cummins for tea, and can be proud of his role in Australia’s semi rescue effort. I’ll have some thoughts in a second before handing over to our man JP Howcroft.

66th over: Australia 190-8 (Agar 19, Cummins 25)

Another two, increasingly crucial, runs for Australia here, as both Agar and Cummins deal with Shafiul fairly easily. Sense that Bangladesh have an issue to solve here heading into tea. They’ve maintained pressure, no doubt, and both Cummins and Agar have batted well, but they may need to try and manufacture something here.

Fans cheer during day two of the First Test match between Bangladesh and Australia at Shere
Fans cheer during day two of the First Test match between Bangladesh and Australia at Shere Photograph: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

65th over: Australia 188-8 (Agar 18, Cummins 24)

An otherwise quiet over from Mehedy to Agar finishes with a bang, as Agar sweeps him for six. I’m deliberately avoiding the term ‘slog sweep’, as to my mind that shot requires a slog first, followed by the stroke finishing in the ‘sweep’ position. These are important semantics. Agar was already looking to sweep, and bludgeoned it over the rope for six. Swept for six. Not sure he got all of it’ either.

64th over: Australia 182-8 (Agar 12, Cummins 24)

Shakib has a rest, and the seamer Shafiul takes up the reigns. Late in the over there’s celebrations aplenty as Shafiul looks to choke Cummins down the legside. Aleem Dar raises his finger but Cummins reviews immediately. It was the review of a man convinced of his innocence, and the replays backed him up. Dar overturned his decision with due sheepishness, and the over meandered to a close.

63rd over: Australia 181-8 (Agar 11, Cummins 24)

Are Bangladesh a fraction conservative here? Mehedi now has two men out, and singles are a little easier to collect. Brendon ‘BJ’ Julian makes the point via TV that the home side ‘still have runs to gamble with’, and I’m inclined to agree. Agar has batted well but he’s on 11 - they should be encouraging a few more risks. One from the over, and it looks like a change at the other end.

62nd over: Australia 180-8 (Agar 10, Cummins 24)

Shakib gets four balls at Cummins, and alternates between giving the ball air and darting them in at Cummins’ middle stump. I suppose the idea is that natural variation will mean some spin and some don’t. It looks the right tactic because it brings all modes of dismissal into play. Cummins is again up to it though, his judgment is good. Agar earlier found a single to deep mid on. Australia creep closer.

Pat Cummins in long sleeves
Pat Cummins in long sleeves. Photograph: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Updated

61st over: Australia 179-8 (Agar 9, Cummins 24)

Mehedi returns in place of Mustafizur - who’s attempts to strike the pad have down been discarded. Mehedi is around the wicket to Cummins, who will be relishing the nuance of padding the bowling away. It’s a tactic reserved for serious batsmen, of which Cummins is at this moment. Cummins later flicks Mehedi without purpose to midwicket and it drops just short of the fielder. It didn’t quite arrive to midwicket on the half volley, but it wasn’t far off. The next ball spits up at Cummins’ thigh and collects a bit of his glove as it runs away for four. Could have gone anywhere - good signs for Mehedi there.

60th over: Australia 175-8 (Agar 9, Cummins 20)

Shakib is at it again, coming over the wicket to Cummins now. While I’m commentator cursing these two batsmen - it should be said that they very much represent the new age thinking around lower orders. These two are bowlers in their own right, but you mightn’t know it to look at them here. Their techniques are simple, their tactical application is sound, and they’re repelling some very skillful, difficult bowling. The partnership is worth 35, and they’ve been out there for 95 balls.

An email from Robert here is quite poignant too.

“Sam,” he writes. “This is a wonderful game. I love a nippy, dippy turner/dropper. A real palate cleanser in an era of roads and feather-beds. It’s a thing of beauty how rapidly it changes the weight and worth of the numbers (how good were Renshaw’s 45 and Shakib’s knockout 84!). It makes everything matter again. Every run, every leg-bye and no-ball. And there’s the extra bonus of world class athletes sporadically looking like huge schmucks. What’s not to like?”

Amen.

59th over: Australia 174-8 (Agar 9, Cummins 19)

After my relentless, coping-mechanism-driven death riding of Australia, it’s worth noting that they’ve made a somewhat tangible dent in the deficit. They’re now 80ish behind, which looked very unlikely after being four for nothing. The lower order have scrapped, scraped and prodded their way to something workable, but of course they’re still sizeably behind. Mustafizur continues and for the large majority Agar and Cummins look in control.

58th over: Australia 171-8 (Agar 9, Cummins 16)

More cagey stuff between Shakib and the Cummins/Agar axis. Cummins picks up the solitary single but the Australians are looking more and more assured here. That sentence should come with a disclaimer, as the situation truly is subject to change. Still, I wouldn’t be surprised if Shakib was given a spell and a different approach was used. He’s been probing consistently, but it’s starting to feel a little same-y.

Some lovely correspondence here too. ‘Hi Sam,’ writes Shammi. ‘Cricket series during the monsoon season? what madness, what lunacy! but my gawd, so much fun. in other lands they talk about raining cats and dogs, here it’s tigers and elephants baby! sometimes the sky pours onto the land and they become as if one. so much so, that creatures of the air and water get confused as to whether they are bird or fish. will the ozzies end up praying for rain?’

I think Steve Smith would love that!

57th over: Australia 170-8 (Agar 9, Cummins 15)

An offside sweeper is employed and Cummins angles an early drive in that direction - he gets two. It’s a strange time to employ a sweeper, but I suppose Bangladesh have plans - teams always have plans. Mustafizur is still angling the ball into Cummins’ pads and he does eventually strike it. Cummins is caught on the crease as it strikes above the knee roll; it’s too high and missing leg but it’s instructive insofar as it reveals Mustafizur’s plans.

56th over: Australia 167-8 (Agar 9, Cummins 12)

The talisman Shakib continues from the other end, and starts with a maiden. He eleicits Agar’s inside edge early on which mutes an LBW appeal, then beats his outside edge before Rahim dramatically whips off the bails. I say dramatically because Agar never ventured outside his crease. Still, I guess it adds to the tension.

55th over: Australia 167-8 (Agar 9, Cummins 12)

The quick man Mustafizur re-enters the attack for some rarely seen seam up bowling. Cummins already looks infinitely more comfortable with this, though Mustafizur’s skiddy action may give rise to some variable bounce. He’s initially over the wicket, but then switches to around in a bid to reverse the ball away from Cummins, or maybe get one to hold its line and strike the pad. Just feels like there’s so many modes of dismissal. It’s a maiden.

While the players take drinks - Shaiful Islam’s dropped catch was a funny one. It stuck in his hands for a decent period before coming out - one of those that looks even stranger when viewed in slow motion.

54th over: Australia 167-8 (Agar 9, Cummins 12)

An eventful one. Three balls in Cummins decides he’s hand enough. He gets low, and crunches one aerially over cow corner for six. It changed the tone of the exchange, and two balls later Cummins tries again, but succeeds only popping it up to cover, where it’s dropped by Shafiul Islam! He never really looked balanced as he came in to attempt the catch, and it bounced out of his hands and to the turf. Shakib is staring daggers.

That’s drinks!

53rd over: Australia 159-8 (Agar 8, Cummins 5)

Wow, the first one from Taijul turns an absolute mile, beating Cummins’ swish as well as the keeper and first slip. There was initial thought it may have been bat, but it was all turn, baby, and for byes results. Cummins is watchful for the remainder, understandably. Men remain around the bat in this depressing (or elating, depending on where you’re from) scene.

52nd over: Australia 155-8 (Agar 8, Cummins 5)

Another record maiden. Shakib beats Agar once, and is generally fizzing the ball around. Credit to both batsmen for even being here. They’ll probably need to score some runs soon, though. It’s hard to see where that’s going to come from.

Updated

51st over: Australia 155-8 (Agar 8, Cummins 5)

Taijul comes on for Mehedi. Taijul, for the uninitiated (I am one of these people) also bowls spin. He’s coming left-arm over the wicket to the left-handed Agar, and has a twirly, bouncy sort of a run up and delivery. He comes wide of the crease and beats Agar on the outside, before the Australian gets one to long on.

50th over: Australia 154-8 (Agar 7, Cummins 5)

Another successful negotiation of Shakib by both batsmen. Dare I say: are they ‘starting to look good?’ No, I won’t say it. Think there could be a bowling change fairly soon though, as Cummins carefully pats the final two balls away to safety.

49th over: Australia 153-8 (Agar 6, Cummins 5)

All time quickest maiden from Mehedi - flighting, probing, testing. The long sleeved Cummins and Agar are resolute here, which is positive.

48th over: Australia 153-8 (Agar 6, Cummins 5)

A little untidy from Shakib, who searches for the stumps and strays with his line this over. It allows Cummins and Agar to come through unscathed, with a few singles to both. Shakib will be back, I’m sure of it.

47th over: Australia 150-8 (Agar 5, Cummins 3)

These are just wonderful times for the spinners, and I don’t begrudge them their fun either. Mehedi comes in with his rhythmic, straight run-up and gather, and is making the ball talk. Cummins and Agar just about get through it, but they can’t last long, surely. There’s a few singles, and now they’ll deal with Shakib.

45th over: Australia 147-8 (Agar 4, Cummins 1)

Men crowd the bat. The ball spits off the wicket. The Australian batsman (Cummins), prods. We can start most overs like this now.

Shakib eventually drops a little short and Cummins gets off the mark by tucking one from his hip. It should be noted that Cummins is also wearing long sleeves, which seems incongruous with his sartorial style, but I think I can handle it.

Mehedi Hasan Miraj of Bangladesh celebrates taking the wicket of Matthew Wade of Australia
Mehedi Hasan Miraj of Bangladesh celebrates taking the wicket of Matthew Wade of Australia Photograph: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

44th over: Australia 145-8 (Agar 3, Cummins 0)

What can you say? If you watch Maxwell’s dismissal in isolation, you might conclude that it was an irresponsible gamble for him to depart so far from his crease with the team in such a fragile position. If you watch the dismissal in the context of the whole innings, you’re probably grateful for his runs and his intent to score them. This really is Sri Lanka and, to a lesser extent, India, all over again.
Also, Cummins blocks out the rest of Shakib’s over. He’s a fantastic bowler.

Updated

WICKET! Maxwell stumped b Shakib 23

Maxwell’s stumped! Not surprising, really. Credit to Shakib here, who’s obviously noted Maxwell’s addiction to the dancefloor. He holds it back a little and, importantly, bowls it little wider - and Maxwell can’t find it. The ball hurtles past Maxwell’s enormous bat and Mushfiqur does the rest.

43rd over: Australia 144-7 (Agar 2, Maxwell 23)

Another quick one from Mehedi. Maxwell dances, Agar survives. There’s men around the bat. We’ve seen this scene before.

42nd over: Australia 143-7 (Agar 2, Maxwell 22)

Nice contest between Maxwell and Shakib here. Early on, Maxwell reaches for one and sweeps aggressively for four. To give you a sense of the line, the ball probably would have spun past sixth stump. It hits the square leg boundary with a thud. He pulls out of the next stroke to a ball that spins violently past him. Is there one with his name on it?

41st over: Australia 138-7 (Agar 2, Maxwell 17)

Mehedi givs the ball a little more air than Shakib, which probably makes them a collectively greater prospect. Maxwell, who looks very suited to batting in a baggy green - what with his five day growth and superior hand eye coordination - continues to use his feet, eventually finding a single on the leg side. Later, Agar hoists Mehedi over mid-off - it was skied and landed just in front of the boundary rope, evading the infielder by about ten metres.

40th over: Australia 135-7 (Agar 0, Maxwell 16)

Shakib is finding a lot of drift here, and he beats Agar with his second delivery with one that held its line. Agar’s a little better for the rest of it though. It’s another quick one, as Australia barely holds on to this innings.

39th over: Australia 135-7 (Agar 0, Maxwell 16)

It’s a battle between Mehidy and Maxwell, and the Victorian looks good here. He dances down the wicket and punches him through the off sider for four, then collects another two through cover. I’m still reeling from Wade, to be honest.

37th over: Australia 124-7 (Agar 0, Maxwell 9)

Australia’s slide continues. No matter how well they defend for a period, there’s a feeling that one ball will have the batsman’s name on it. This time it’s Wade - when do we get to ask questions about him? Great opportunity for him today, but again, didn’t even look like contributing.

WICKET! Wade LBW Mehedi 5

Mehedi begins after lunch and he has Wade LBW! Maxwell got off the mark straight away, leaving Wade to negotiate the spinner. Around the wicket to the left-hander, he gets one to hold its line, completely bypassing the inside of Wade’s bat. It’s dead in front, Wade thinks of reviewing, but chooses not to. Good call. Huge trouble for Australia now.

Ahead of the second session

Morning, afternoon, evening all.

Feels like we’ve seen this dance before, doesn’t it? For all the talk of refined techniques and padless training, none of the Australian batsmen have seemed especially equipped to sustain the spinning onslaught of Shakib and co. Deep down in our sensitive hearts, we all know that Australia doesn’t quite have the measure of Asian spin bowling away from home.

And so to this middle session, where Maxwell and Wade will have to cope with a wicket bound to support the spinners even further, and Australia in a precarious position. We know what Maxwell will (try to) do, but Wade’s innings should be interesting. It feels a long while since Australia’s aggressive spirit animal played a meaningful hand; will today be the day? Or will Shakib get him? And everyone else? I’d venture that if these two go, the others will follow soon after.

So as another batting examination looms, feel free to ping me your thoughts, views, assessments and fears on Twitter or by email.

Play’s set to resume in a couple of minutes. While you wait, check out Andy Bull’s take on West Indies’ fortunes yesterday as they rally to try to square the series against England.

See you shortly.

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LUNCH: Australia 123-6

36th over: Australia 123-6 (Renshaw 45, Maxwell 7)

I reckon that should have been lunch, actually. A wicket taken three minutes before the scheduled break. Anyway, it isn’t! Wade has to face the music. Under a lot of pressure to keep his spot in the side. Well, he should be. A single to midwicket gets him down the end he’ll want to be with three balls to go. It’s Maxwell to see it out. Or not, he gets one as well. Wade again, two balls to go... and cracks a lovely cut to the rope. That’s a nice shot to eat on. Well, not quite. Beaten last ball. Appropriately so after the two hours that have been. Lunch.

Stop. Breathe. Another pulsating session of Test cricket. Smith fell within ten minutes of the resumption, dancing and missing Mehedi. Bringing together Renshaw and Handscomb. The two survived a couple of DRS referrals and a couple of edges that didn’t carry before their partnership blossomed, punctuated through a series of sweet sweeps.

But neither would make the interval. When the partnership totalled 69, Handscomb was pinned on his back foot and trapped on the back pad, Taijul in the book with a straighter, quicker delivery. It was beautifully bowled by the left-arm ortho. Then on the cusp of lunch, Shakib was brought back and struck with the first ball before the break, Renshaw misjudging a ball he could have left, the edge landing in the hands of Soumya at slip, successfully juggling a tough chance.

Maxwell and Wade are the not out men, with loads to do when we return in about 35 minutes from now, Australia still 137 behind. It’ll be Sam Perry with you then. Thanks for your comany this morning. Bye for now.

Matt Renshaw of Australia walks off after he was dismissed by Shakib Al Hasan of Bangladesh during day two of the first Test match.
Matt Renshaw of Australia walks off after he was dismissed by Shakib Al Hasan of Bangladesh during day two of the first Test match. Photograph: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

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WICKET! Renshaw c Soumya b Shakib 45 (Australia 117-6)

First ball back Shakib has done it! Last over before lunch, Renshaw encouraged to play when he needn’t, collects a thin edge that goes just past Mushfiqur’s gloves, Soumya diving across at first slip behind the keeper. It takes a juggle, but he completes the take on the second attempt. Renshaw’s 94-ball stay ends at an awful time for Australia. After so much hard graft, both of the set men have fallen in the quarter-hour to lunch.

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35th over: Australia 117-5 (Renshaw 45, Maxwell 7)

Drama and deception! For all money it looked like Renshaw had been dropped by Soumya at slip, but he missed the Taijul delivery. It hit the rough and went the way he didn’t expect. But it wasn’t his edge it deflected off, it was Mushfiqur’s glove. But it is given as runs. So, pre-DRS he would have been gone had that been taken. Maxwell gets an actual edge later on, a big one, so it is to the right of second slip. Couple added. But a fair better stroke to end the over, Maxwell’s first boundary carved out to cover. Settle the nerves.

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34th over: Australia 108-5 (Renshaw 42, Maxwell 1)

Mustfizur to Maxwell. Two men who know each other well from the IPL. Good contest, enticing Maxwell to play, changing his pace, bouncing him. Well, the bouncer didn’t go so well, sailing over Mushfiqur’s head as well for five wides. Every bit helps for Australia right now. It isn’t just a case of parity given they will bat fourth. Eight minutes left to lunch, they’ll want to squeeze three in.

33rd over: Australia 103-5 (Renshaw 42, Maxwell 1)

Enter... Glenn Maxwell. Three balls to see off, and gets down the other end with a single to midwicket against the spin. Retains the strike. Good as Mustafiz was in the previous over, reckon we might see Mehedi again before the break to have a little go at the new Australian bat.

WICKET! Handscomb lbw b Taijul 33 (Australia 102-5)

Class from Taijul, slipping through a straighter and quicker one at Handscomb. He’s back in the crease as usual, but the bat doesn’t get down in time on this occasion. No review required for that, he knows that’s very much out. Important stand comes to an end with a quarter hour left before the lunch interval. But so much work still to do.

32nd over: Australia 101-4 (Renshaw 41, Handscomb 33)

Fizz! Right past Renshaw’s edge. That’s his best delivery yet, pitching in line. Had to play at it. But doesn’t follow it with his hands. What I said before about those going after him on his debut, it was mainly because they determined that he was playing and missing too much. As Chris Rogers – who did it for a living – noted at the time, he plays and misses balls moving across him because he plays the line rather than following the moving ball belatedly. Serves him pretty well, wouldn’t you say? Back to Mustafiz, has another fly through to the gloves of his captain. Renshaw waits for the straighter one, pushing to cover.

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31st over: Australia 100-4 (Renshaw 40, Handscomb 33)

79 runs for Australia in the session, the 100 brought up with a single from Renshaw to square leg, where he makes so many of his runs. Happy to use the spin. Better approach than the reverse sweep he had a crack at earlier in the set. Not the say the shot hasn’t a place in this form of the game or anything, but he’s going just fine as it is, for mine.

30th over: Australia 97-4 (Renshaw 39, Handscomb 33)

Mustafizur beats Renshaw on the back foot. Slower one? Has all those white-ball tricks, needed for being effective as a seamer here with the red one as well. A definite slower ball later on, beating the keeper Mushfiqur on the bounce. Same approach to Handscomb, finding his edge with another change of pace.

This could be a good read at lunch. At that interval I’m off to interview Shahriar Nafees who made a ton in the series opener. The one where they had a 150-odd lead before losing.

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29th over: Australia 96-4 (Renshaw 39, Handscomb 33)

Renshaw sweeping, big appeal! Taijul a big fan of the shout, running hard at the batsman before turning back at Umpire Llong. He says no. Rightly so, as it is hitting outside the line. No review. Singles exchanged off the spinner through the onside. Renshaw goes sweeping again, making solid contact this time around, a couple of bounces into the advertising boards. His fifth boundary. He’s faced 75 balls now. Remember the fools hopped into him wildly after his debut, saying he wasn’t up to it? Handscomb finishes the over in equally emphatic fashion, finding the rope with the sweep for the fourth time himself. Into the 30s he goes. Eleven off the over, the biggest of the innings for the tourists.

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28th over: Australia 85-4 (Renshaw 34, Handscomb 28)

Mustafizur wouldn’t have hit the stumps with any of his first over, TV shows. Gets Renshaw miscuing a push, off the inside edge. Better. He comes around the wicket to Handscomb, so that’ll straighten him up. And it does, forcing the Victorian to play throughout. The best of the lot, a yorker-length delivery that Handscomb still goes back to. Keeps it out. Have to admire him for sticking to a plan that works for him. Forty minutes to lunch. That’s how they’ll be breaking it down here. Little targets. Valuable work they are doing here.

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27th over: Australia 84-4 (Renshaw 33, Handscomb 28)

Taijul gets one to explode at Renshaw. Grabs the shoulder of the bat perhaps? A single, landing safely. Handscomb safely negotiates the rest. Sitting behind him, the tap he does spinning the bat around as the ball is bowled really is something of his own making. I like it. Needs a name.

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26th over: Australia 83-4 (Renshaw 32, Handscomb 27)

Mustafizur! This will be a bit of alright. The young jet burst onto the scene ripping India apart in some ODIs a couple of years back. IPL followed, where he plays under David Warner. The crowd – modest as it is – responds accordingly; they love the young bloke. But it’s a relatively uneventful start, Handscomb happily watching and defending. Shame the tracks he plays on at home will never do much for him. He’ll be very exciting the next time they tour England, though. Or Australia. Ha! Bangladesh tour Australia? I know.

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25th over: Australia 83-4 (Renshaw 32, Handscomb 27)

There is a change, one left-arm ortho replacing another. Taijul gets his first bowl, Shakib given a rest. He has 48 wickets in 14 Tests to date, making steady progress in this side. Renshaw takes it straight to him, too full to begin and Renshaw launches into an imposing cover drive. His best stroke of the morning. When he misses his line later in the over, the left-hander helps it fine for three more. A single to Handscomb to the last ball, around the corner, brings up the 50 partnership. A nice moment to go to drinks on. An hour where Australia added 65 in 16 overs after losing Smith in the third over. “Hard yakka” tweets Michael Cooney at me. That it has been.

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24th over: Australia 75-4 (Renshaw 25, Handscomb 27)

Mehedi once more. Unchanged in the innings from this end, two bowlers yet to get a jam roll. Gets one to go big to Handscomb, bouncing too, four byes. The captain no chance after the batsman shouldered arms at the last minute with his body rotated 180. Didn’t get a look at it. Singles to each through the onside, showing some comfort.

23rd over: Australia 71-4 (Renshaw 24, Handscomb 26)

Handscomb liked sweeping Shakib last time around so much he started with it again. That’s gorgeous for those who enjoy this part of the game, nice and low. Shakib responds the best possible way: beating the edge. Just missing the stumps. Quality cricket, this. As it is from Handscomb when he takes him on with the sweep again! Nearly goes the full journey. Wonderful counterattack here from the new Victorian captain, overtaking Renshaw now. Will they pop a fielder out there? Or let him keep going for it?

22nd over: Australia 62-4 (Renshaw 23, Handscomb 17)

Big shout again turned down! Mehedi loves it, as he tends to, but Aleem Dar doesn’t. Gee, it would have clipped to according to the retrospective ball-tracker shown on the telly. Might be a product of Mehedi being so enthusiastic with every appeal. That has to influence an umpire’s thinking after a while. Renshaw survives. Maiden it is.

21st over: Australia 62-4 (Renshaw 23, Handscomb 17)

Handscomb ends this Shakib over with the first full-blooded sweep of the day, nailing it. End of another sound over from the pair, Renshaw doing it well before turning the strike over.

20th over: Australia 57-4 (Renshaw 23, Handscomb 13)

Mehedi races through a maiden to Handscomb, who is now in the baggy green as well. Delightful. There’s an lbw shout in there to begin, but not much else for the off-spinner. Maybe, just maybe, time to give him a spell. Taijul’s left-armers or Mustafizur’s seam.

19th over: Australia 57-4 (Renshaw 23, Handscomb 13)

Edge! Renshaw nicking Shakib. Doesn’t get to Soumya at first slip, but he can’t stop it on the ground either. Boundaries in each of the last three overs. Back to solid defence for the rest of the set. Might sound a bit daft to say, but I reckon the hosts need another one relatively soon. Got to capitalise while you’re on top, right? Two DRS calls not going their way and two edges falling just short of slip since these two came together.

18th over: Australia 53-4 (Renshaw 19, Handscomb 13)

Handscomb into double figures, pushing Australia beyond 50 as well, with a compact cover drive. Coming to the pitch of Mehedi’s delivery and getting it on the half-volley. Nice feet. He cops a rare legitimate four-ball from the spinner next up, half-tracker really, but hits it straight to a diving fielder at backward square leg. Saved four, great work. Taijul doing the work there, the left-arm tweaker we’ll see later on. He saves more runs next ball, when the right-hander can’t beat him with a clip. Bowlers being backed up by their fielders.

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17th over: Australia 49-4 (Renshaw 19, Handscomb 9)

Lovely stroke from Renshaw when Shakib drops a fraction short, steering with the full face of the bat down to third man for his second boundary of the morning. He’s beaten next up, but on the whole, the man most likely for Australia here.


16th over: Australia 45-4 (Renshaw 15, Handscomb 9)

Batting in the baggy green (😍) Renshaw gets deep to defend then takes a well-timed single to midwicket. He may have got out of jail with the DRS call, but all told he’s looked right on the mark this morning.

“Not near a television at the moment, and won’t be for a while, so this is purely a reckless piece of speculation on my part.” At least you’re honest, Phil Withall. “Is this another example of Australia’s policy of attacking the opposition irrespective of the situation or the conditions? I’m fairly sure I’m repeating myself here but sometimes less is more. I get very frustrated by this approach and I’m not even an Aussie.”

To be fair, some top-shelf spin bowling here. But it’ll be the Smith and Khawaja dismissals that define this collapse, both avoidable for different reasons. It’s like they’ve gone back in time to Sri Lanka twelve months ago. They look frazzled.

NOT OUT! Bouncing over! The big left-hander is lucky there, hitting on the knee roll but just clearing the leg-stump. Actually, over by a decent way according to the projection. Well there you go. DRS goes Australia’s way twice in the space of six balls.

RENSHAW GIVEN LBW! Review! Has Mehedi got the Aussie opener? We’ll find out in a tic.

15th over: Australia 44-4 (Renshaw 14, Handscomb 9)

Excellent first over of the day from the man playing his 50th Test. Started it wonderfully yesterday with 84 and responsible for the Lyon wicket before stumps. Also the man in operation when Khawaja wanted to get off strike so badly he took off for one of the more inexplicable quick singles you’ll ever see. Handscomb forced to come forward by the end of the over, after sticking with his Plan A deep in the crease to begin. Maybe Australia were onto something not coming here for 11 years?

MISSING! NOT OUT! Good decision from umpire Llong. Handscomb a long way back and missing one sliding back into him from the new bowler Shakib, but going just a fraction too far with the arm.

Updated

HAS SHAKIB TRAPPED HANDSCOMB? He’s going upstairs to find out. Given not out. Stand by.

14th over: Australia 44-4 (Renshaw 14, Handscomb 9)

Handscomb has his first Mehedi examination of the day. Can imagine a world where he’ll just bowl unchanged from this broadcast end. Nothing about his approach or action suggests he’s going to cause nightmares for batsmen, but he does. A reminder that he’s 19-years-old as well. Brilliant for the game. Australia’s new man clips behind square for one to start the over. Off the back foot, good timing. Renshaw, who seems to be scoring off every ball he faces this morning, grabs one to midwicket. Edge! Handscomb nicks the straighter one, but bounces beyond slip, so he gets a couple. Soft hands save him there. Quick single to midwicket keeps the strike for the Victorian. Nice batting, considering the circumstances.

13th over: Australia 39-4 (Renshaw 13, Handscomb 5)

Handscomb coming to terms with his premature arrival the best way he can, carving past point for a dashing boundary to get off the mark. Playing in that style we’ve become accustomed to since joining Test ranks, playing from the crease or going back by default. He gets on the front foot occasionally, but is never in a hurry to do so. Gets through his first over without a bother, retaining the strike with a flick behind square. Has such a massive job ahead of him today. I mentioned Ranchi before. It was a 70-odd that Smith said was worth a 150. Not wrong. He was utterly magnficient (and if I recall correctly, chanceless) that day. Again please, Pete. Regards, Australia.


WICKET! Smith b Mehedi 8 (Australia 33-4)

Smith bowled! Dancing to Mehedi around the wicket, through the gate! He misses, the ball crashes into leg-stump. What a moment, the captain had not looked like playing a false stroke in his brief stay until this point, and he’s made a terrible mistake there. Effectively yorked himself, the ball slipping under the bat more than going beyond his inside edge. Either way, result the same. Australia in big trouble at Dhaka.

12th over: Australia 33-4 (Renshaw 12, Handscomb 0)

Australian captain Steve Smith walks back to the pavilion after his dismissal by Bangladesh’s Mehedi Hasan Miraz during the second day of their first Test in Dhaka.
Australian captain Steve Smith walks back to the pavilion after his dismissal by Bangladesh’s Mehedi Hasan Miraz during the second day of their first Test in Dhaka. Photograph: A.M. Ahad/AP

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11th over: Australia 28-3 (Renshaw 7, Smith 8)

Steven Smudger Smith. Shaiful’s first ball driven by the captain expertly through cover for a boundary. It’s a floaty half-volley, but it still has to hit the middle of the bat. And that it does. Lovely start. Defending solidly thereafter.

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10th over: Australia 24-3 (Renshaw 7, Smith 4)

A single first ball of the day for Renshaw, turning off the pads. That helps calm the nerves. Smith does likewise, using his feet the way he does best, meeting the pitch of Mehedi’s delivery from around the wicket, whipping square. Then four byes! Mehedi drifting beyond Renshaw’s front pad, and Mushfiqur’s gloves. Three balls, six runs. That’ll do. LBW shout next! All happening here. Renshaw well forward. Mehedi’s appeal was more of the Stuart Broad variety, running straight at the batsmen. But no review, so he couldn’t have liked it that much. Last one shoots real low. Lucky it was well outside off-stump. Well then. Eventful.

No radio commentary of this series in the conventional sense, but White Line Wireless doing what they do best if you need your fix. Alongside the OBO, of course.

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The players... they’re out on the field. Mehedi has the ball. Renshaw at the business end. PLAY.

Panic stations? “Is it time for Australia to panic yet?” asks @TheSportress on the tweet. Well, not quite. Bangladesh were 10-for-3 inside four overs yesterday. Perspective that Nathan Lyon echoed in his media conference. Smith and Renshaw show in Ranchi they have the ability to dig, as they did on the final morning there. Handscomb much the same, in next. But you wouldn’t want to see Matt Wade before lunch. Panic then.

Speaking of Lyon, he gave some rare and lovely insight about what joining the 250 Club meant to him last night. Usually he bats away any questions about personal milestones, giving the whole ‘I’ll talk about when I’m retired’ script. But he reflected on a text from his parents yesterday morning, how much that meant to him, and added his pride in being one of eight Australians to get to the mark. Nice, Garry.

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Welcome to day two at Dhaka!

Good morning from the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. We were told last night it was going to hammer it down with rain today, but I can happily report that hasn’t been the case. So far, at least. Indeed, not a cover to be seen out on the vast playing field in front of me here.

It’s cooler than it was 24 hours ago, and it can’t get much hotter than it did out in the middle during the final few overs last night. That was intense stuff. In the space a couple of overs David Warner was trapped in front by 19-year-old genius Mehedi Hasan, Usman Khawaja lost his mind/wicket courtesy of a run out and then Nathan Lyon wasn’t able to watch out the night when his pad was hit in front by Shakib Al Hasan.

In turn, what was looking a very tidy day of work from the Australians after knocking over the hosts for 260 has them now returning 18-for-3 with plenty to do. The positive: Matt Renshaw looked unflustered throughout the chaos, and he’s there with Steve Smith, who in a handful of balls before stumps already looked the way he always does.

So that is the state of play. It was a pulsating opening stanza, let’s hope for something mirroring it on day two. I look forward to your company through the morning session before Sam Perry and JP Howcroft take the OBO baton. For now, some new-ish The War On Drugs to get us going, an ode of sorts to Renshaw’s efforts last night.

Holding On.

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