STUMPS! Australia 377-9 (O'Keefe 8, Lyon 0). Lead by 72 runs.
A day for the home side. All told, Australia lost 7-for-124. It never looked like happening when Warner and Handscomb kept on keeping on, but they they got bogged down when Warner reached 99, the pressure more than anything else bringing Handscomb’s run out on 82.
Nevertheless, Warner kept doing as he does. 20 Tests in 66 matches - no big deal. But the second new ball was enough to prompt an error from him on 123, parrying Mustafizur around the corner, well taken by Imrul.
From 298-for-3, a collapse of 5-for-66 either side of tea was very familiar. Cartwright dazzled for 18, but edged on the cusp of tea. Wade missed one coming back into his pads, reviewing poorly. Maxwell, who battled, did likewise when inside edging on 38. Cummins was also lbw, a wonderful review from Bangladesh when he shouldered arms to a ball ptching well outside the off-stump.
Agar showed suitably resistance, but was the last to fall on the day, bowled through the gate by Shakib, who was also responsible for the aforementioned Handscomb run out. And with that bad luck stopped play with O’Keefe and Lyon left. In short, in a truncated day this game has been turned on its head.
Thanks for your company on the OBO throughout the course of it. We’ll be back tomorrow with Sam Perry on the tools for the morning session. Until then, bye for now from Chittagong.
BAD LIGHT STOPS PLAY!
Long consultation between the umpires before the new over, and they decide to take the players off. With 13 overs notionally remaining, very likely this will be followed by an official call to pull stumps. Will stand by for that.
118th over: Australia 377-9 (O’Keefe 8, Lyon 0)
Interesting to see how they approach this. Lyon by far the more aggressive of the two, and swept really well in Dhakja in the fourth innings chase. A case for letting him at it? They’ll be bowling tonight one way or another. O’Keefe does the bulk of the work this over though, taking Mehedi down the ground for one to the fifth ball. Lyon pushes the final ball to midwicket for no run, so O’Keefe it’ll be again.
“Evening Adam.” Hi Phil Withall. “Is this the moment that the Maxwell/Wade era finally comes to an end? They seem to have been given more chances than there are in a monopoly set. I know it’s a radical idea but maybe the selectors might try and cast their net a little wider and not stick with the friends of friends policy they seem to have been using of late.”
I think it is fair to assume that both had a lot to play for today, and both are now in bigger trouble than when the innings began. Some big calls to make before Brisbane for selectors, no matter how they frame up their market.
WICKET! Agar b Shakib 22 (Australia 376-9)
Shakib through the gate! The one spinners dream of. Superb bowling to end the over, clipping the top of middle stump. Fully earned after doing him with the first ball as well, Soumya dropping another catch
at first slip. But it doesn’t matter in the end. A brilliant day for the home side. One to get.
117th over: Australia 376-9 (O’Keefe 7, Lyon 0)
Updated
116th over: Australia 372-8 (Agar 21, O’Keefe 4)
Taijul back into the attack from the southern end, which seems a sensible call with Mustafizur putting in a decent shift today. Agar pops him down to long-on early in the over, O’Keefe doing the rest. Has to use his feet a bit more this time.
115th over: Australia 371-8 (Agar 20, O’Keefe 4)
First look Agar has had a Mehedi, I think. He’s watching until he sees a fuller one, plucking a single down the ground. O’Keefe does enough to ensure it’ll be Agar keeping the strike.
“Got enough now surely?” tweets Charlie Reynolds at me. It is a reference to Shane Warne always encouraging teams on commentary to declare prematurely. The man really doesn’t like working five days. “Get em in and have a bowl,” he adds. Well, if they are nine down with half an hour to go you might see Smudger get ~funky~ and let Cummins at them for a couple.
114th over: Australia 370-8 (Agar 19, O’Keefe 4)
Mustafizur gets his wish when Agar grabs a single when mid-off misfields. O’Keefe plays and misses first up. That’ll get the fast bowler excited. He keeps on keeping on though, pumping a ball down the ground for a boundary. Way to ruin my strike-rate talking point, SOK. At one stage in India it got down to 14, which is the lowest on record. Noting that balls faced in Tests were only kept properly and thoroughly since 1980. Still, nice to have a record to your name. Carl Rackemann was right up there (down there?) in that list as well, for his Brisbane Ashes vigil in 1990-91.
113th over: Australia 365-8 (Agar 18, O’Keefe 0)
O’Keefe taking Mehedi. And doing it fine, forward reflexively. Another maiden. SOK’s strike rate is less than 19 in Tests, so we’re getting what you should expect.Lights are on here.
112th over: Australia 365-8 (Agar 18, O’Keefe 0)
Mustafizur can’t get a look at O’Keefe as Agar is doing a good enough job keeping him out. Won’t have many more in him, the humidity as it is. Still getting a decent amount of movement back into Agar. Shakes it up by going around the wicket to finish, but met with a straight bat at the other end. Really good batting from the West Australian.
This is the best, by the way. Nasir Hossain’s antics when the Cummins decision was overturned. He’s definitely going to get whacked for it, and fined, but doesn’t seem the sort to care on the available evidence of, well, this.
Aussie batsmen seeing double out in Chittagong... pic.twitter.com/nDnswNbExl
— Derek Alberts (@derekalberts1) September 6, 2017
111th over: Australia 365-8 (Agar 18, O’Keefe 0)
Another long drinks break. Humid out there. Mehedi giving O’Keefe his first look. To think it was only this time last week that he was on the plane here. Nothing wrong with the approach here, getting forward throughout the over. Maiden.
Drinks. 21 overs left. Australia 6-for-111 today, lead by 60. If Bangladesh can finish this off, they could wipe that by stumps. #BANvAUS
— Adam Collins (@collinsadam) September 6, 2017
Updated
110th over: Australia 365-8 (Agar 18, O’Keefe 0)
Mustafizur given another go. But I suspect this is in order to have him get a go at SOK rather than Agar, who is handling him easily so far. Straight bat this time around, until the bouncer comes, which he ducks. Wide signalled. They’ll take whatever they can get at this point, the wind very much at Bangladesh’s back. Still 22 overs left today (including this one), so we’re going to be using the extra half an hour. Agar back to defending, then leaving. And it is drinks. Huge hour for Bangladesh, who ripped three more wickets out in a hurry. They have 6-for-111 today. But need to finish the job.
Updated
WICKET! Cummins lbw b Mehedi 4 (Australia 364-8)
All going wrong for Australia in the third umpire booth. Cummins has shouldered arms to a ball that pitched a long, long way outside off-stump. But keeping a fraction lower, and turning an awful lot, DRS shows it is crashing into off-stump! Hossain has stood next to Umpire Llong to immitate the ‘change of decision/out’ signals. Quite amusing really, but I suspect he’ll be having his match fee docked. Australia in strife.
109th over: Australia 364-8 (Agar 18, O’Keefe 0)
Updated
HAS CUMMINS BEEN DONE LBW? Another review! From Bangladesh this time. Shouldering arms.
108th over: Australia 359-7 (Agar 17, Cummins 0)
Agar not bothered by the pressure, pulling with ease through mid-on. Back to back fours for him to get going. I neglected to mention in the previous post that Agar is also, indeed, loveable. These are the golden children (as it were) of this Australian side. Just as it was in Dhaka, they have ample to do with their secondary discipline here. Boom! He goes again when Mustafizur drops short, crunching through cover. And four more (!) when the quick misses his yorker, the left-hander getting down to it in time for a nicely tickled boundary. Three boundaries in the over, Agar racing to 17, retaining the strike with another little flick. Australia move beuond 350 and the lead 50 as well through the course of the very productive set.
107th over: Australia 346-7 (Agar 4, Cummins 0)
Pat Cummins, the big loveable lad, to the middle. He’s leaving and defending the second half of Mehedi’s over. A bit of confusion up here (without television at this stage) whether that was a straightforward batsman review or if Gould sent it upstairs himself to see if it carried. If the former, it is a shocker, as that was a big inside edge from Maxwell.
WICKET! Maxwell c Mushfiqur b Mehedi 38 (Australia 346-7)
No doubt about that one, big inside edge onto the bad, goes behind Maxwell but the ‘keeper remains balanced and comes forward to complete the low catch. Just at the stage of his 98-ball stay that the Australian no. 5 looked in some control as well. Two wickets, no runs. The lead still 41. Game on.
IS MAXWELL CAUGHT IN CLOSE? Review to find out!
106th over: Australia 346-6 (Maxwell 38, Agar 4)
Credit again to Mushfiqur. The third time he’s made a chance in this innings that has immediately brought a wicket. Some questionable decision making from the skipper later yesterday, but he’s on the ball here. Agar the new man. He gets off the mark to the final ball, lovely way to do it to with a drive through cover. First time I’ll mention this: Australia lead by 41.
WICKET! Wade lbw b Mustafizur 8 (Australia 342-6)
No inside edge, three red lights, he’s gone! The most assured Wade has looked at the crease on tour, but the innings is over before it really gets going. Mustafizur is the man, brought back into the attack with his left arm seam and able to bring one back from over the wicket, beating the Australian on the inside edge. Not overstating it to say that could very well be his final Test innings. That’s a long trudge off. Poor fella.
IS WADE LBW THIS TIME? Mustafizur thinks so! Umpire Gould agrees. Wade reviews. Big moment in the context of his career.
105th over: Australia 341-5 (Maxwell 37, Wade 8)
Maxwell again off strike first ball. A sound plan. Through cover this time. Wade in good shape defending. He’s not done a lot, if anything, wrong since his arrival. I share Todd’s below view.
The best thing about Test Cricket is watching Maxy bat in a baggy green #BANvAUS @GlenMaxwell @collinsadam
— Todd Ingram OAM (@toddying) September 6, 2017
104th over: Australia 340-5 (Maxwell 36, Wade 8)
Shakib to the Show. He’s able to work him for one to begin, to the onside. Wade does likewise after coming down the track. Maxwell picks out the cover sweeper later in the set. Accumulating nicely.
103rd over: Australia 337-5 (Maxwell 34, Wade 7)
Before the touch-and-go call from upstairs, Wade played a beautiful cut shot from the balls of his feet past point, to break up the couple of maidens. Keen to see if that reviewed delivery was going to hit the stumps, but yet to see on the telly. Certainly hit in line. Might have done too much. Speaking of umpiring...
Bradman umpiring a South Australian Chamber of Manufacturers and Trades Hall game at Adelaide Oval. pic.twitter.com/wfCBxaIQUy
— Russell Jackson (@rustyjacko) September 6, 2017
NOT OUT! But not before Umpire Llong made everyone in the stadium think he was when reaching for his hat! Ball-tracker is irrelevant after it shows Wade is more than three metres down the track when contact was made. Saved by dancing. Not a bad name for a nightclub.
IS WADE LEG BEFORE? Review to find out!
102nd over: Australia 333-5 (Maxwell 34, Wade 3)
A lot of enthusiasm in the crowd, but hard to tell what for? Not exactly the ‘get boozed / to the Mexican Wave’ types in this part of the world. Maxwell looking the part on the front foot now, and then able to get back quickly enough when the quicker one arrives from Shakib. Back to back maidens from the frontline spinners.
101st over: Australia 333-5 (Maxwell 34, Wade 3)
Mehedi has won his accuracy back either side of tea, Wade brought forward time and again. He’s up to the task. Maiden.
The pitch still remarkably tame. #BANvAUS
— Daniel Cherny 📰 (@DanielCherny) September 6, 2017
Updated
100th over: Australia 333-5 (Maxwell 34, Wade 3)
Such an important period for Bangladesh. They won the first session, but they really need to win both in order to apply maximum pressure on Australia at the back end of this Test. Can’t allow themselves to be 100+ in the hole. Maxwell again looking sturdy before taking Shakib down the ground. Wade sweeps one to keep the strike.
Updated
99th over: Australia 331-5 (Maxwell 33, Wade 2)
Maxwell relaxed defending Mehedi throughout, sweeping one to finish it, keeping the strike.
Updated
98th over: Australia 330-5 (Maxwell 32, Wade 2)
The Nossain attempt lasts an over, Shakib straight back into it. But he gives away a run to begin in identical fashion to yesterday, attempting to knock a ball back onto the non-striker stumps. Not sure it has quite come to that for the hosts. Wade looking to score from the outset here, one to midwicket. Nearly a mix-up between the wickets, but Maxwell gets back to his ground before any risk of damage. He gets the desired run next ball, into midwicket.
97th over: Australia 327-5 (Maxwell 30, Wade 1)
Mehedi took the wicket on the cusp of tea, and continues from the northern end. Wade the man who is on strike. It’s a big day for Maxwell, but bigger for the gloveman. He did almost everything right when ‘keeping, but that’ll be forgotten quickly if he can’t make badly needed runs here. He’s away with a single to midwicket. Maxwell, sticking with the baggy green, into the 30s with a tuck behind the umpire. Nice straight bat from Wade to end the over.
Wade will seldom get a better scenario in which to make a big score that also helps the team... #BANvAUS
— Daniel Brettig (@danbrettig) September 6, 2017
96th over: Australia 325-5 (Maxwell 29, Wade 0)
Hossain first over after the break. He was handy with the old ball, pinning Warner down on 99 for a lot longer than was comfortable. He’s right on the money with his off-breaks to Maxwell. Oh, typed too soon: long-hop that Maxwell could hit anywhere he wants. Decides on the rope at extra cover.
From the Smith/Warner batting coach, Trent Woodhill. Warner spoke a lot about this after his Dhaka ton. Defending by attacking.
When you have a defensive mindset and defend from the bowlers hand you're asking for a soft dismissal #BANvAUS
— Trent Woodhill (@TrentWoodhill) September 6, 2017
WICKET! (AND TEA). Cartwright c Soumya b Mehedi 18 (Australia 321-5: Maxwell 24, Wade 0)
Last ball before tea! Mehedi gets the outside edge of Cartwright who was looking so good, and lands safely in the hands of Soumya. Not much more to it than that, he was lunging forward and it didn’t spin back towards end. And that is that. Tea it is as well.
The 130 minute session brought three wickets for Bangladesh, Australia adding only 68. So the hosts will take that, even if they are going to also carry with them a first innings deficit. They do have a chance to get in at Australia’s fragile lower order, though. Big moments for Matthew Wade as he prepares to walk out.
Earlier, Handscomb was the first to go. He was on 82 when backing up too far in order to get Warner from 99 to 100, caught short by Shakib with a blistering collect-and-throw from midwicket. Warner spent 15 balls one short of his 20th run, but got there with a cover drive. A fantastic innings for the patience required, by far his slowest in the baggy green, taking 209 balls.
He went up a gear of two after that, but fell not long after the second new ball was taken, parrying a Mustafizur short ball around the corner, taken on the juggle by Imrul Kayes. Plenty more to be said about that hand later, his second hundred on the trot coming in over six hours at the crease.
Maxwell is still at tea but for a host of reasons he’s lucky to be. No direct chances, but playing with fire throughout. Even if he did slowly find his way towards the break. Cartwright looked assured from the get go, his aforementioned dismissal completely against the flow of play.
To tea, with Australia 16 ahead and five wickets in hand. Back with you after I’ve had a quick drink myself. Speak shortly.
94th over: Australia 318-4 (Maxwell 24, Cartwright 16)
Bec goes BOOM! His first six in Test cricket, and I suspect the first of many. It’s a wonderful strike, coming down to Taijul who is over the wicket, gets just short of the pitch and goes through with the shot, lofting over midwicket going all the way! Wow. What timing. Hitting hard again later in the over, into the man at short leg. He’s absolutely smashed it too. Mominul cops it in the hip. Tough cookie, giving it a rub and getting up.
93rd over: Australia 312-4 (Maxwell 24, Cartwright 10)
It remains hard graft for Maxwell, but he’s just doing enough to keep it all in check. Just. Nearly through his gate to finish, admittedly. A couple overs left for him to see out to reach tea, which wouldn’t be for nothing. Not often he bats ugly, or has to. There’s a skill to that as well.
92nd over: Australia 310-4 (Maxwell 22, Cartwright 10)
The new bowler Taijul launched into by Cartwright, thumped through cover with a minimum of fuss. Gee, looks good, doesn’t he? Second lovely boundary since his arrival. Defends just as confidently thereafter.
Patrick on the email is weighing into nickname for Bec. I mean, Hilton. “Sorry showing my age here but Hilton’s nickname for me has always been George, as in George Costanza. See the Chinese Restaurant episode; “Who’s Cartwright?”, “I’m Cartwright!” One to youtube it at the interval. Ten minutes from now, in case you were wondering. I see they’ve backed in Paris at WLW.
And the Aussies are in the lead! Paris Cartwright strutting his stuff out in the middle. #BANvAUS https://t.co/YgQYPZx4MT
— White Line Wireless (@WhiteLineWire) September 6, 2017
91st over: Australia 305-4 (Maxwell 21, Cartwright 4)
Mehedi is back, bouncing away from us here at the southern end. He misses first up to Cartwright, who takes a couple. But then it gets busy, beating Cartwright with a beaut. Holds its line. Then: a dropped catch! Back to the bowler, who has had a terrible time of it in the field. In his follow through, straight through the hands and into his chest on the left-hand side. He’s down for the count as well - we have a delay while he is assessed by the physio. All going down while the scores are level on 305. He is not getting up with the staff now considering taking him off. Watching a couple of replays, it has hit a thumb on the way through to the chest. Has he broken a rib? Standing up now. Why isn’t he going off? Maxwell has! Off for a trip to the gents while this is all playing out. Must have lost the better part of ten minutes there. I like it better when the sightscreen doesn’t work. Finally we’re back for the final ball. Defended.
Bit of a circus. Mehedi should have been taken off. Maxwell shouldn't have been permitted to nip off. Come on now. Long delay. #BANvAUS
— Adam Collins (@collinsadam) September 6, 2017
90th over: Australia 303-4 (Maxwell 21, Cartwright 4)
Mustafizur’s birthday as well today, turning 22. Just 22! What were you doing when you were 22? Weren’t opening the bowling for your country, were you? Warner’s wicket a nice gift for him. It was Jason Gillespie’s birthday when he brought up a double century at this ground 11 years ago. This is a good over too, mixing it up to Maxwell who is still very much finding his way despite being there now for the better part of 90 minutes. A quick bouncer part of the combination in this over. He’s definitely has a yard in him.
89th over: Australia 303-4 (Maxwell 21, Cartwright 4)
The Maxwell Interrogation continues from the southern end. But he’s the man down the other end to the first ball now, stroking calmly to mid-off. Cartwright’s turn. Excuse me as I rotate through the various nicknames we will be using for him here on the OBO. There was a consensus around Bec on day one’s blog. That’s my preference. But Paris will also do. He can call him whatever he tells us to though if he plays shots like this with any regularity, driving Taijul down the ground in classic style. Looked a bit like Watto in the pose. That’s the highest praise I can give another human. Australia beyond 300 with the stroke.
88th over: Australia 298-4 (Maxwell 20, Cartwright 0)
Hilton Cartwright into the middle for his second Test innings. Made 861 First Class runs in the Shield, winning his spot in the national squad through those runs. Made 37 against Pakistan in January and looked pretty good in that first stay. Defends Mustafizur confidently from the crease to see out the over.
A reminder that we’re back with the county cricket blog as well. Pop open another tab and join Will Macpherson to see how they’re getting on around the shires. 👇
WICKET! Warner c Imrul Kayes b Mustafizur 123 (Australia 298-4)
The quick gets Warner! What a catch at short-backward square! The left-hander tried to take the short delivery off his chest around the corner, but Imrul does well to keep his cool and juggle the catch. A wonderful hand from Warner comes to an end with Australia not quite into the black. But he ensured that they will enjoy a healthy first innings lead. Unless something goes horribly wrong.
87th over: Australia 291-3 (Warner 123, Maxwell 19)
Taijul in no hurry here. I like that. They aren’t going to have an over-rate problem with three spinners. Warner flicks one to begin - once again to the first ball of the over - putting Maxwell into the hot seat. How will he respond? These are the days that make/break careers. One to cover punched. Better. Warner dropped! Maybe that’s being harsh to Soumya, it is four to third man from a full-blooded cut shot that caught the edge. The TV shows that he was never a chance. BJ points out on the commentary that he never moved back when the cut shot was clear. And I’ll note again, as we did time and again at Dhaka, that he just stands waaaay too close there at first. Give yourself a complete of yards, man!
If Maxwell is giving chances through slips cordon in Chittagong I'm not so sure he'll be batting at the Gabba... #BANvAUS
— Daniel Brettig (@danbrettig) September 6, 2017
86th over: Australia 291-3 (Warner 118, Maxwell 18)
Warner diligently counts all the fielders before Mustafizur stats his new over, but none are required when a bouncer clears the batsmen and the ‘keeper! Nothing he could have done. He had a crack at a pull/hook too. It was quick. The eventful start extends to Maxwell when he gets his chance, driving off the edge through the cordon for four more! Not in control of that shot at all. Would have landed somewhere around fourth slip, in the unlikely event that one would be in. He’s looking rough. Two more to extra cover, out to the sweeper there, are at least along the ground.
“As things are panning out, I see no reason for changing my opinion of early yesterday: massive win on the cards here for Australia, possibly batting only once,” says David Langlois, coming to us from spain. “And full credit to them for the bounce-back. On what seems to be a benigner pitch their batsmen have found a way to counter the spin menace, while the Aussie trio, especially Lyon, have rabbit-headlighted the Bangladesh batsmen into disastrous, LBW-pleading back-foot prods. I was going to go on to talk about England’s Ashes chances (hopeless) but Bangladesh’s cricketers now deserve to be spoken of in their own right rather than as hors d’oeuvres for more serious feasts.”
I agree with the last point, if this series has proven anything it is that Bangladesh will be spoken off in isolation rather than as an add-on. Less bolshie about the Ashes, but each to their own. Thanks for dropping me a line.
85th over: Australia 278-3 (Warner 115, Maxwell 12)
My favourite of the spinners, Taijul, getting his first go today. Struck with his first ball yesterday. Not so much this time, Warner going down the track and timing a boundary. It’s an aggressive advance, not far from the mid-on. Maybe he’s going to have a pop now the ton has been reached? I hope not. Would enjoy seeing the result of Warner still there batting tomorrow lunchtime, or something like that. Now I’ve said that, he’ll be out next over. I have that gift.
Updated
84th over: Australia 273-3 (Warner 110, Maxwell 12)
Drop! Oh dear. Mehedi at gully has put Maxwell down. Off the face of the bat, it was more or less catching practice. Not a good man to put down. A pull for two more without much control. Maxwell has been skittish at best since his arrival. He’s made it to drinks now, but will have to find a better way to go about it if he’s still to be there at tea.
83rd over: Australia 271-3 (Warner 110, Maxwell 10)
Warner scoring from the first ball of the over again. A feature of this innings throughout. Just a turn to fine leg, nothing special. Another feature of it. Maxwell hits the cover fielder out deep to keep the strike.
Meanwhile, very good from Dizzy. Loved this ground 11 years ago.
Double it kid.... https://t.co/lJucpu3Xbc
— Jason Gillespie (@dizzy259) September 6, 2017
82nd over: Australia 269-3 (Warner 109, Maxwell 9)
Apologies for the delay. We’re usually good for one proper wifi drop out a day in the press boxes here, and we just had it. Nice clip off Mustafizur’s first ball of the fresh spell with the new ball.
81st over: Australia 266-3 (Warner 106, Maxwell 9)
They do take the second new one at the first available opportunity. Presumably Mustafizur wants to go again from the southern end as he did yesterday, so Shakib gets first use of it. Mixing up his lengths trying to get one to skid on, Maxwell does what he needs to keep it out, but misses the shorter deliver that required punishment. Important innings for the Victorian. This is in no small part what he is there for, to punish a bowling side when they are behind in the game.
80th over: Australia 264-3 (Warner 105, Maxwell 8)
Hossain has been quite useful in this cameo at the bowling crease. This is the final over before the second new ball, so it’ll probably be the last we see of him for now. Maxwell then Warner both forced to play with nice, straight bats throughout.
Warner’s long-term batting coach, Trent Woodhill, has enjoyed what he has seen from his pupil.
Resolute from @davidwarner31 #BANvAUS
— Trent Woodhill (@TrentWoodhill) September 6, 2017
79th over: Australia 263-3 (Warner 105, Maxwell 7)
Maxwell a chance to calm down a bit here, perhaps unnerved a bit coming in after the run out when Warner was 99. Forward to Shakib throughout, as he should be. A better drive - one along the ground - ends the set. Keeping the strike with that single.
78th over: Australia 261-3 (Warner 104, Maxwell 6)
His slowest ton by a mile, his previous 154 balls. Quite significant how he had to stitch that together. Smith got to the same mark of 20 centuries 12 Tests quicker, but from memory he was the second or third fastest ever. Warner will be right up there on that list as well. Feel free to jump onto one of the stats websites and ping it through to me just where he ranks! Otherwise, I’ll find it at tea.
DAVID WARNER REACHES HIS 20TH TEST CENTURY!
At last! Stuck on 99 for 15 deliveries, and nearly ran out on 99 when looking for a quick single, but reaches the milestone with a cover drive to the rope. Only his fifth boundary of the innings, the slowest of his career taking 209 balls. Back to back hunreds in Asia after coming into the tour under such scrutiny. 20 tons for so long a mark of greatness, and the Australian vice-captain has got there in just 66 Tests. Gives the baggy green a big kiss. What a player.
Updated
77th over: Australia 256-3 (Warner 99, Maxwell 6)
Boom! Maxwell off the mark clearing mid-on. Doesn’t get all of it. In fact, it isn’t clean at all. Has another go! Doesn’t clear mid-off by far! “If he got out like that he wouldn’t even go back into the rooms, he would walk straight to the bus,” the view of Brendon Julian on the telly. Not wrong. Chill out.
76th over: Australia 250-3 (Warner 99, Maxwell 0)
Good craic this, Hossain rolling a second consecutive maiden to Warner on 99. Nothing overly concerning about the deliveries, but Warner taking absolutely no chances here. Plenty of tension. Good stuff.
Handscomb's innings was chanceless and took initiative right away from Bangladesh, allowing Warner to bat in his slipstream
— Daniel Brettig (@danbrettig) September 6, 2017
75th over: Australia 250-3 (Warner 99, Maxwell 0)
Glenn Maxwell the new man, Shakib bowling with confidence after executing that handy run out in the previous over. One movement for the pick up and throw, as they say. Maxwell very happy to watch before playing his shots, defending each delivery from the front foot. Maiden it is. Back to Warner on 99 up the other end.
74th over: Australia 250-3 (Warner 99, Maxwell 0)
Well, Nasir Hossain’s introduction has got Bangladesh the wicket. Who woulda thought? Sure, it was a run out. But surely the opener was playing with extreme caution given the part-time nature of the spin. He’s had a poor time of it in the field, Mushfiqur, but that’s the second time he’s snuffed out a wicket soon as he has made a chance. So credit to him there.
WICKET! Handscomb run out Shakib (direct) 82 (Australia 250-3)
What a mess! Handscomb a long way down backing up with Warner on 99, but when Warner declines the quick single to midwicket Shakib is there to throw down the stumps at the Victorian end. He dives, but it isn’t enough, caught comfortably short. The end of a wonderful innings in such an unecessary way. Deserved a ton. Warner still on 99.
Updated
IS HANDSCOMB RUN OUT? Direct hit at the non-strikers’ end. Looks grim!
73rd over: Australia 250-2 (Warner 99, Handscomb 82)
Shakib beats Warner with one that goes under his bat! Very low. He’s well outside the line, missing off-stump comfortably. Then to 99 with another single to cover. Easy work there. The 250 up with the run. Shakib around the wicket floating up to Handscomb, who isn’t tempted. Warner to face with one needed for a fine ton.
72nd over: Australia 249-2 (Warner 98, Handscomb 82)
Mehedi gets another go. Warner waits for the fuller deliver, takes a single to cover. The 150 partnership when Handscomb also gets one, to mid-off. Had to run hard, but got there easy in the end. Warner moves to 98 with a push to point, keeping the strike as well.
71st over: Australia 246-2 (Warner 95, Handscomb 81)
Warner easy around the corner, within a nicely struck drive of a ton now. No rush. An inside edge won from Handscomb here, the only time the ball hasn’t hit the middle of his bat today so far. But no issues, spilling around the corner. He really is at ease, the Victorian. In
70th over: Australia 245-2 (Warner 95, Handscomb 81)
Handscomb into the 80s with a lovely stroke through cover off the back foot. Made room for himself but never lost balance. He clips well to the last ball, but straight to a fielder. No concerns for either batsman against the teenage offie.
69th over: Australia 240-2 (Warner 93, Handscomb 78)
The brilliant Brian Murgatroyd on the telly tells us that Warner has made 19 tons but only out once in the 90s. That was last November in Perth, nicking off for 97. He pulls a simple risk-free single to the midwicket sweeper to give Handscomb the strike. He’s committing to using his feet to defend, then just as comfortable going back to finish it off.
68th over: Australia 239-2 (Warner 92, Handscomb 78)
Mehedi offering a four-ball an over. Not always converted, but the line and length that he hit so consistently in the Dhaka first innings has left him a bit here. He’s still dangerous when he gets it right, Handscomb deep in the crease when one shot through and nearly beat his defence. But sure enough, the long hop wasn’t far away, the right hander smacking it to midwicket boundary.
67th over: Australia 235-2 (Warner 92, Handscomb 74)
Some session times have flashed up on screen. Tea till be at 1530 local time, the final session running through to 1800. I’m delighted that my earlier sums were right. Warner in his flashy new baggy (or tight, see yesterday’s OBO) getting nicely forward to defend Shakib, then back to strike a couple through cover point. His most productive scoring area. Only four boundaries in his hand so far, giving a sense of just how much the field was spread to him. Questionably strategy, if you ask me. Using his feet to defend the rest.
66th over: Australia 233-2 (Warner 90, Handscomb 74)
Mehedi from the southern end. He wasn’t very good yesterday, aside from when he won the stumping chance off Warner, fluffed by Mushfiqur. The Australians continue where they left off in response to his opening over here, Handscomb hitting a well-timed two out to midwicket. Deflects nicely for two more off the back foot past point. Another single to midwicket. Warner then does likewise. Four scoring shots and Warner into the 90s.
Pete Handscomb lost over 8kg while batting yesterday and now looks better than ever with a hot new summer body, according to close friends!
— Dan Liebke (@LiebCricket) September 6, 2017
65th over: Australia 227-2 (Warner 89, Handscomb 69)
Past the outside edge first ball! Warner tries to cut, but misses. He’s more studious, clipping only a single in the over. Shakib misses his one delivery to Handscomb, who kicks away a leg bye to retain the strike.
The players are walking out!
67 overs to be bowled. So doing the maths on that, with a 20 minute break in there for tea, that means four-and-a-half hours. Scheduled close should be roughly 6pm. With, presumably, half hour up the sleeve for slow over rates. Shakib has the ball, Warner on strike, the crowd are chanting. PLAY!
The best naan in South Asia, you say?
Graham Crouch on the email. “Adam I’m assuming you are staying at the new Radisson but I hope you have had a chance to sneak next door to the Chittagong club (dress code: no thongs) for a slice of life and a chat with the locals about all things cricket. They do a mean chicken tikka and the best naan in South Asia.”
I’m actually not at the Raddy. My colleagues are, but I’m doing it a slightly different way (i.e. on the cheap, let’s be honest) staying in town and outside the security tent. Wonderful experience, especially during Eid over the weekend. Won’t be forgetting that in a hurry.
As for the Chittagong Club, due to Eid it wasn’t open when I had a crack the other night. It was also spoken of very highly by English colleagues who toured here last year. But with this timely reminder, I will try again later tonight. With thanks.
1:15pm resumption!
Great news, just flashing up on the scoreboard here. Per my earlier post, haven’t a clue how many overs or when tea will be taken, but we’ll be told pretty soon and I’ll relay when I have it to hand. Cricket! Yeah!
Some good stuff from this morning.
On radio RSN927’s breakfast show, John Hastings talking about the Steve O’Keefe vs Jon Holland debate. The main bit:
“I really feel for Dutchy (Holland). Steve O’Keefe was best man at my wedding, so I am rapt for him. But by all rights he probably doesn’t deserve to be there. He’s suspended by NSW Cricket and he’s over playing for Australia. So it is an interesting. But I don’t think Jon Holland can do any more than he has done over the last few years.”
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I’ve just realised...
This is going to be a really long afternoon and evening we have together. But how long, exactly? Now, I cover cricket for a living. I played plenty in England too. In our sport it rains a lot.
So you would think that we would have a clue about added time and the like. Right? But who can say with certainty how long can and will be plonked on the end tonight beyond the 5pm scheduled close of play? What about the extra half-hour on top of the spare hour? For all those details and more (i.e. start times, breaks, etc)... I’ve asked the Australian team manager to find out for me.
Hessian off, stumps in. Peter Handscomb in the middle having a little shadow bat. The covers being given a good shake out beyond the boundary in case they are required again. I was told by my Bangladeshi colleague this ground has the best drainage in the country, and on the available evidence that looks true. Amazing how heavy that rain was only a couple of hours ago. Looks good to go pretty soon.
Off comes the hessian now as well. They mean business. #BANvAUS pic.twitter.com/VEPQzlPuPH
— Adam Collins (@collinsadam) September 6, 2017
Good news!
Not just that it’s your old mate Adam Collins here to bring you the rest of the OBO. No, the good news is that the covers are coming off. I can see it with my very eyes from the northern end of Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong. And get this: the sun is nearly breaking through. Get in, my friends. Get in.
Thank you Kate for steering the ship through the rain. Never an easy gig. Despite the super soppers doing their best, it’ll still be a while before we’re up and about. So we better chat, right? Adam.Collins.Freelance@theguardian.com in the old money, @collinsadam the new. This OBO will accept both.
Handing over
Well, that was one of my more exhilarating live blogging sessions. Certainly the pacing was a little different to Sportwatch. For those AFL fans reading this, I’ll be back on Friday night for the blockbuster game between the Cats and Tigers, and then again on Saturday night for the Port v West Coast clash. Looking forward to it - and hope that plenty of you will join me then.
I’m now handing over to Adam Collins, who is at the soggy scene in Chittagong. He’s advised that he’s currently being fed some thick daal and vegetables (jealous), and will be back shortly to take you through a variety of youtube hits while we pass some more rain-soaked time.
Should PNG play in Australian one-day competition?
Jason Gillespie, current coach of the Papua New Guinea Barramundis (great name, right?) wants his team included in Australia’s domestic one-day competition. Gillespie also coaches the Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League, and says that Australia ought to do more for its developing neighbour - and used Bangladesh as an example of what can happen when a nation is given its opportunity on the world stage. Australia has of course included an international side in its one-day competition before, in New Zealand.
Weather update from Chittagong
This from the Bureau of Adam Collins, and it’s not good news cricket fans.
“Sorry to report that it has started raining again. Not anywhere near the strength of downpour as earlier, but back to legitimate rain, as opposed to that drizzle or mizzle we had for a while there. Can anyone distinguish between those, by the way? Maybe we’ll try that when I take the baton form Kate. Anyway, bad news from Chittagong. Catch you soon.”
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Jimmy Anderson
For those of you hankering for some other cricketing news, here’s a nice little piece from today about Jimmy Anderson chasing 500 test wickets.
‘When Glenn McGrath brought up his 500th Test wicket at Lord’s in 2005 by teasing an edge to third slip off Marcus Trescothick, the great Australian fast bowler had a pair of gold-stitched bowling boots run on to the field by the 12th man to mark the occasion,’ writes Ali Martin. ‘Jimmy Anderson, sitting three away from becoming just the third seamer to the milestone after McGrath and Courtney Walsh, has no such plans.’
The Test series is currently drawn at 1-1, with West Indies coach Stuart Law bullish about his side’s prospects.
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Women’s Ashes series
Speaking of the upcoming Ashes test, here are some highlights from the last time England and Australia met in the Ashes - with some bowling brilliance from Ellyse Perry who took 32-6 in the final innings, and nine wickets in total. She’s pretty handy with the bat too - currently averaging 51.17 in ODIs and 31.28 in Tests.
Update from the ground
As I mentioned Adam is at the ground and has provided this pic from the roof. Good news that it’s just drizzling, but who knows how long it will take for the water to clear. I still doubt we’ll have any play this session.
Update: far from a write-off. Up on the roof again and it has largely stopped. More drizzle now. A lot of water to clear, mind. #BANvAUS pic.twitter.com/nQ64UnqtZj
— Adam Collins (@collinsadam) September 6, 2017
Monsoon season
So why exactly is this Test being played in monsoon season anyway? After all, the last two Tests that were attempted in Bangladesh at this time of year were abandoned (i.e. the South Africa washouts a couple of years ago). This series has been effectively tailed onto the Indian one-day internationals, and according to Adam’s sources, the Australians suspected these tests would be washed out also (apparently they didn’t seem to mind so much). It’s in fact rather lucky that we haven’t had more rain to date, since it has rained non-stop between the two tests.
Adam Collins’ update
Our man Adam Collins (who is taking over for me at ‘lunch’ aka when lunch was meant to be) is at the ground and is sending through some updates on the state of play (or non-play) currently:
“It hasn’t stopped. I don’t want to get carried away. But it isn’t anywhere near as hard as it was half an hour ago. That was rain as hard as I’ve ever experienced. I know my colleagues and I have written a lot about monsoonal rain only for it to be 40 every day and Petey Handscomb to nearly collapse by stumps yesterday. But here it is.
Encouragingly, the pooling water on one the of the covers at our northern end of the ground seems to have drained already. We’re told that it drains well here. But isn’t that the way with every cricket ground? Ever heard of a ground NOT draining well? Anyway, I’ll leave you with that. Hopefully better news in an hour or so.”
Women’s Ashes series
Don’t forget our Southern Stars are playing their Ashes series a couple of months from now. I’m excited!
Anyone keen to tweet or email me with their favourite moments in Aussie women’s cricket history?
Just over 2 months until the #Ashes Day/Night Test & the wickets are going in at North Sydney Oval! Don't miss out: https://t.co/KoRIiNIlSp pic.twitter.com/KBaqJ1clCv
— Australia Women 🏏 (@SouthernStars) September 6, 2017
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Review of yesterday’s play
While I’m researching, and we’re waiting, our very own Adam Collins is featured in this video with Mohammad Isam discussing yesterday’s play - and Peter Handscomb’s heroics.
Back with you shortly
Alright, it’s not looking good here - so I think I’ll step back for a while and do some investigation on the permutations for the Australians should they lose a session or two.
Don’t forget you can always tweet or email me if there’s something on your mind or there’s a conversation you think we ought to have here.
First session may be off
Doesn’t look like much will be happening this session - with water pooling off the covers.
Don’t think we’ll be seeing much play today… #BANvAUS pic.twitter.com/BgaCkMoVkP
— Rudi (@RudiEdsall) September 6, 2017
And now it’s flooding
This isn’t looking good for the Aussies.
It's flooding on the top level at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium #BANvAUS pic.twitter.com/GMfM1n4LCL
— Daniel Cherny 📰 (@DanielCherny) September 6, 2017
Courtney Walsh
Courtney Walsh (West Indies cricketing legend) is the Bangladeshi bowling coach - and he’s live now arguing that Bangladesh’s bowlers need more exposure on the international stage. He says the talent and quality is there, but they need more match practice against the world’s best. Loved watching him and Curtly Ambrose in my youth - he shared an incredible 421 Test wickets with Ambrose in 49 matches. Of course he also held the record for the most Test wickets prior to being overtaken by Shane Warne.
Bangladesh’s historic victory
Did you miss Bangladesh’s victory against Australia in the first Test?
Here’s some video highlights to give you a sense of just how much the team (and Prime Minister) enjoyed it.
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Thunder and lightning...
OK, so it’s not just raining. There’s actually a thunderstorm - all of which came on with around 25 mins before what was supposed to be the start of play.
Heavy rain ahead of day three. Looking like a delayed start to the day's play #BANvAUS pic.twitter.com/EcaQhxeapD
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) September 6, 2017
It’s raining...
Not a great sign for today’s play - with rain teeming down at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium. Covers are on and a lengthy delay looks likely.
Rain coming down thick and fast now at the 'Gong. Play scheduled to get underway at 10am local but not looking great at this stage #BANvAUS pic.twitter.com/uvz6tWV38O
— Louis Cameron (@LouisDBCameron) September 6, 2017
Peter Handscomb
Peter Handscomb lost an incredible 4.5kg during his stint in the oppressive heat yesterday. Will be interesting to see how he goes today - doesn’t look like conditions have changed all that much - it’s 31 degrees currently, with 76% humidity and rain - more on that in a moment!
Updated
Hi everyone, and welcome to this crucial third day of the Bangladesh v Australia test match. Yesterday’s action ended with Australia on 225-2 (from 65 overs), trailing by 80 runs. David Warner is unbeaten on 88, while Peter Handscomb’s 69 not out was lauded as ‘gutsy’ by Australian coach Darren Lehmann, after he overcame heat exhaustion to steer Australia’s gritty batting resistance. Handscomb was attended to by medical staff on 64 not out late in the day, after a batting stint of almost two hours in over 30 degree heat and extreme humidity. It brought to mind the heroics of fellow-Victorian Dean Jones in the 1986 test against India in Madras, when he too battled heat-induced illness to score an incredible 210. Warner, meanwhile, showed a more subdued and patient side to his batting repertoire, with only four boundaries for his 88 (off 170 balls). He’ll be especially relieved not to have been stumped by Mushfiqur Rahim 40 minutes out from the end of play, in what was a howler by the captain and wicketkeeper. Together, Warner and Handscomb added 127 runs for the third wicket in a potentially game-changing partnership.
Apart from Handscomb, Australia’s hero for the day was undoubtedly Nathan Lyon, who claimed 7-94 - his second-best Test career figures (and his fourth seven-wicket haul). It was a particularly impressive feat given the wicket has largely played into the hands of the batsmen, turning far less than in the first test in Dhaka. It looks like a more traditional subcontinental wicket this time around, which should turn more as the game progresses. Lyon’s feat took him to a Test wicket tally of 77 in Asia, which means he now overtakes Glenn McGrath and sits second behind Shane Warne for overall best wicket-takers in the region. Not bad considering Lehmann’s criticism of Lyon after the debacle that was the Sri Lankan series last year.
Should be a fascinating day. If you’re interested in a live replay of yesterday’s action, please do follow the great work of Sam Perry and Adam Collins. Feel free to tweet me @kate_ohalloran or email me at kate.ohalloran.freelance@guardian.co.uk during today’s action. Play commences at 2pm AEST.
Kate will be here shortly. In the meantime, here’s a reminder of how things panned out on day two:
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