STUMPS (65 overs): Australia 225-2 (Warner 88, Handscomb 69)
Well, Warner takes a single from the first ball of this final over, down the ground off Taijul. Bit harsh! But still, only two catchers; a slip and a silly point. Barely even slowing it down to apply maximum pressure. Handscomb appling himself to the fullest, trying to meet each delivery at the pitch. Able to leave the final one alone. That’s stumps!
Well played Peter Handscomb. Well played David Warner. They get into the ice baths having added 127 for this third wicket. A superb stand considering Australia’s history of collapses when Smith falls in this part of the world. He did go not long before tea, but the Australian response didn’t miss a beat under Handscomb. He looked in complete control from the outset.
Warner, meanwhile, has faced 170 balls for his 88. Not a strike-rate we are familiar with from him, but an acknowledgment of his full commitment to the cause out there today. Real leadership. He gives Handscomb a huge (but gentle!) pat on the shoulder after seeing out that final over.
Bangladesh had their chances. Well, one in particular, missing a stumping off Warner with 40 minutes to go. It was a shocker from Mushfiqur. Sure, it kept low off Mehedi, but he had to glove it. He also went poorly with bowling changes - persisting with part-timers, not using Shakib in the final hour - and field placements. Too defensive as the close neared.
Well, that’s our day. Australia go to bed 80 behind and in very good shape. Thanks for your company today. We’ll be back with Sam Perry for the morning session again tomorrow. Until then, goodnight to you all.
And here’s the day’s report from Chittagong:
Updated
63rd over: Australia 224-2 (Warner 87, Handscomb 69)
Where is the pressure here? Should be a full-court press around Handscomb, who continues to throw his body at every ball. Sure, he is well set, but there’s nothing lost by having four men around the bat - maybe more. Make him earn his ice bath. Ordinary. He gets a single fine, out of the frying pan again. Warner does it well, claiming a single from the penultimate ball to ensure he’ll be on strike for the final over of the day. To begin at least.
62nd over: Australia 222-2 (Warner 86, Handscomb 68)
Exagerated movements from Handscomb, leaning into each delivery to defend. He’s spent. But no catchers! It takes four balls until a silly point is introduced. Gutsy batting down the wicket he goes to get out of the way of the catcher, clipping to midwicket. Am told the ‘real feel’ temperature is 40 degrees right now, and Handscomb is feeling every one of them. Two to go. The stand, by the way, is 125. Oh and this: 222-for-2!
Updated
61st over: Australia 221-2 (Warner 86, Handscomb 67)
Mehedi rather than Shakib. Hmmm. Handscomb is really battling here, at the end of the three singles they take he’s leaning over. I hope he is okay? Perhaps influenced by this, Warner knocks the second half of the over on the head.
60th over: Australia 218-2 (Warner 85, Handscomb 65)
The Sabbir experiment lasts one over. Taijul back, not before time. Warner doesn’t mind, into a hard cut to begin. Albeit to a sweeper. Still plenty of those, despite nearing the close. Handscomb only has one ball to deal with, calmly knocking the spinner down the ground, using his feet. The TV note that his top button is done up despite the intense heat he is suffering from. But you have to pay a price for fashion sometimes, don’t you?
“I’m not sure I’ve ever seen Warner want it so much,” emails Robert Wilson. Always great to have him in the blog. I tried to find something he wrote in digital form the other day. Think I could? Hard copy only for RMcLW. Back to him: “In which daunting circumstances, the Bangladesh lads might be well advised to leave of chayaking at him. Right down his motivational and moral ally, that one. It’s loading up Popeye with extra spinach surely?”
You know, once upon a time I think that was so. But I get the feeling he just doesn’t care about the niggle anymore. Personal growth, and all that. A lot of people still need convincing about the way he has changed as a bloke, but I’m largely sold.
59th over: Australia 214-2 (Warner 82, Handscomb 64)
Amusingly, first ball after the delay Warner takes a single. Handscomb in no hurry to get up the other end. He’s very happy to knock the last one on the head.
Handscomb discovering that 3 months in Yorkshire is not good acclimatisation for the sub-c... #banvaus
— Innocent Bystander (@InnoBystander) September 5, 2017
Now, what is going on here? Handscomb runs three runs in the over, a couple with a sweep then one past short leg.... and he’s done. He’s not walking. Haunched over, the game stops while they get some fluids into him. Delay to the game. He’s knocked back a tablet of some description. There’s a wet towel on his head and an ice pack on his neck. After the delay, he is now back on his feet. Good news.
58th over: Australia 210-2 (Warner 81, Handscomb 61)
Well, one part-timer off. That worked. At the other end? Sabbir Rahman brought on. Mushfiqur! Come on maaaate! Field spead. This isn’t great captaincy with stumps just about ready to be played for. It’s no good. Nine from it. It’s terrible. Includes a full-bunger, that Warner wallops. Into the 80s he goes.
57th over: Australia 201-2 (Warner 73, Handscomb 60)
OH NO! It’s a debacle for Bangladesh. Mehedi is back, encouraging Warner to dance, he does. It’s kept low and gone under his bat. But Mushfiqur has missed it, badly, behind the stumps. Hits him on the pads. Rebounds back. What a miss, what a mess. Mehedi turns one square next up, right past the edge! Oh dear. A maiden. The coldest comfort. In fact, not even that.
56th over: Australia 201-2 (Warner 73, Handscomb 60)
Handscomb has to play out a variety of change-ups from Mustafizur, well-directed on the whole, but he has this under control. TV suggesting Shakib has to be back on, and hard to disagree. Can’t keep the part-timer on, can they?
Bloody good point here, in light of chat today about Australia preparing for five ODIs in England next year. Get over to Ireland. They must.
Maybe Australia would have the decency to drop into Ireland for a Test or two while they're in that part of the world next year
— Rick Eyre on cricket (@rickeyrecricket) September 5, 2017
55th over: Australia 200-2 (Warner 72, Handscomb 60)
The Australian 200 and the 100 partnership between these two both raised in the nondescript Moninul over. Singles, three of them. You know the drill. Sweepers everywhere. All three frontline spinners off at the same time; unclear why. Handscomb into the 60s. Nine overs to go for stumps, which will start to occupy their thinking pretty soon.
Thanks to @rustyjacko, the great floppy wearer from SA, Don O'Connor pic.twitter.com/NGeGvdG92a
— Damian Sharry (@DamianSharry) September 5, 2017
54th over: Australia 197-2 (Warner 70, Handscomb 59)
Mustafizur does well enough to tie Handscomb down for the first half of the over, which at this stage of the innings is a feat of sorts. But he blows it, a full toss from around the wicket that the Victorian is able to steer with ease, past point to the advertising boards. These two have now put on 99, the last ten overs bringing 49 of them.
The Socceroos might be capturing your attention elsewhere. And not without reason. Follow that as well, ~on the other side~. (I am).
53rd over: Australia 191-2 (Warner 70, Handscomb 53)
Mominul Haque, into the side for his batting, having a jam roll with his left-arm orthos. Not wrong to have a crack at something. Four out in the deep, only three fielders on the off-side. No slip, no silly point. Three of the easier singles either of these two will grab to begin the over. Could have been more if the foot was down, but right now they needn’t change a thing.
With Handscomb's hat all the rage, this Test has been nothing but a Lyon, the pitch and the wardrobe. #BANvAUS
— Daniel Cherny 📰 (@DanielCherny) September 5, 2017
52nd over: Australia 188-2 (Warner 69, Handscomb 51)
A glide down through the cordon earns him a half-century. Excellent hand from him here coming in when he did as the captain departed. 74 balls he’s faced, providing wonderful support to the vice-captain. Indeed, he’s been the more forceful of the two. Only his second half-century since the New Year’s Test in Sydney, where he clocked a ton. Three singles.
51st over: Australia 185-2 (Warner 68, Handscomb 49)
Handscomb loves to lap. It’s more a sweep in the conventional sense, maybe, but nearly his downfall. A glove that balloons, but over the ‘keeper and to the rope. Back to his safe place next ball, clipping Taijul through midwicket. Keeps the strike, one short of a half-century.
A tweet relevant to our chat from Aussie media manager Kate Hutchison, who is “reliably told” Darren Lehmann wore a Greg Chappell against New Zealand in a Test. Glad to know we aren’t the only watchers-on fascinated by the Handscomb development - they are in the changerooms, too.
Just let out an involuntary 'ooh!' in a London office upon reading that Handscomb's batting in a wide brim. Turned 32 a few weeks ago.
— Sam Perry (@sjjperry) September 5, 2017
50th over: Australia 178-2 (Warner 68, Handscomb 42)
Mustafizur begins the final hour, coming in from the southern end. He picked up Renshaw earlier today. I don’t mind this. It’s one-day batting, and he’s a quality one-day bowler with all the cutters and change ups. Also gives me a chance to breathe on the OBO, so I support this move. Well done, skip. The result? It doesn’t matter. Handscomb given the most generous half-tracker and doesn’t miss out, nailing a cut shot. More runs off his pads when the left-armer over-corrects.
Did I just hear a swear word on the TV commentary, by the way? Anyone else pick that up? 67 runs in 16 overs since Tea, that broadcast also tells me. Very good progress.
De rigeur for middle order swashbucklers ie Mark Waugh 90s, Lehmann 2000s pic.twitter.com/5cRVVO5687
— Tailendslogger (@tailendslogger) September 5, 2017
49th over: Australia 173-2 (Warner 68, Handscomb 37)
Guess what: five more singles to drinks. Too easy for them, as this stand moves to 75. Time for more cordial. And more umbrellas. For umpires this time, too. Nice touch.
Raymond Reardon tapping into some material my man Sam Perry was pushing around earlier. Matt Wade, if you haven’t heard through the stump mic, has started calling Ashton Agar ‘Larry’. So it is Garry and Larry. What a time to be alive. “Picture of “Larry” Agar’s batting cap (aka Larry Torch playing Colonel Argarn of F Troop fame ) that Agar would wear in preference to the Greg Chappell floppy.” This requires a couple of leaps of logic, but I’ll pay it.
48th over: Australia 168-2 (Warner 66, Handscomb 34)
Mehedi is who Mushfiqur turns to again, Shakib tiring. The result is the same: five balls scored from in the over. Doesn’t help that four men are out. White ball batting as we near the end of the day’s fifth hour. All the sweepers getting a work out.
47th over: Australia 163-2 (Warner 64, Handscomb 31)
Boundaries in consecutive balls. Taijul can’t drop short to Warner like that, he’ll punish you rest assured. Take your pick where, he selects cover. Easy singles to both make it six from the over. Cruise control. Total control.
46th over: Australia 157-2 (Warner 59, Handscomb 30)
They are really motoring now. Shakib leaks runs throughout the over. But to end the set Handscomb advances and lofts, high and handsome over mid on. That’s beautiful batting from the new number four. Looks ripe for it. Into the 30s with a bullet.
45th over: Australia 149-2 (Warner 58, Handscomb 23)
That scare out of the way, let’s get back to the important matter of his magnificent hat. Possible that Smith wore a Greg Chappell in Pune? One reply to that effect. I don’t recall. I feel like it is the sort of thing I would have written 1500 words about. Oh, confirmed: I’ve seen a pic on twitter. Smith did chuck one on a Pune.
Moves like this make him clear captaincy material.
— Brydon Coverdale (@brydoncoverdale) September 5, 2017
NOT OUT! He smashed it. (He didn’t, saved by the faintest inside edge. But being a club and park cricketer way back, I am obliged to say that).
IS HANDSCOMB LEG BEFORE? We are going upstairs to find out! Stand by!
44th over: Australia 148-2 (Warner 58, Handscomb 22)
Well, nearly via a run out when Handscomb - now bating in the floppy Greg Chappell hat - takes on mid-off and it is a direct hit! But he’s home. Phew. And can I get a ruling on the last time an Australian batted in one of those beauties in a Test Match? It has to be a very long time. Hit me. I’ll try twitter, too.
Previous time an Australian batted in a Greg Chappell? Has to be a very long while. Handscomb doing a lot right, not least this. #BANvAUS
— Adam Collins (@collinsadam) September 5, 2017
43rd over: Australia 146-2 (Warner 57, Handscomb 21)
Becoming a very nagging partnership. Three more easy singles. Where does the wicket come from? Mushfiqur needs to start throwing it around again.
42nd over: Australia 143-2 (Warner 55, Handscomb 20)
Shakib operating around the wicket to Warner. All fairly uneventful apart from where the bowler tries to push the ball back onto the non-striker stumps, but ends up essentially conceding an overthrow. A sign they really are pressing for another breakthrough. What they would give for Warner’s wicket.
41st over: Australia 142-2 (Warner 54, Handscomb 20)
A rare occurance in this Test: byes. And four of them. Mushfiqur has it go through his legs are Warner misses. It’s kept a bit low. More doing that through the day. Useful runs, Australia’s last ten overs netting an even 40 runs.
@collinsadam Can't be too often that Warner has taken 38 overs to score 50
— Richard (@theskiver) September 5, 2017
40th over: Australia 135-2 (Warner 52, Handscomb 19)
Very good looking batting from Pete Handscomb, driving a couple through the covers then advancing for a couple more over midwicket. In control with both. More than looking the part at number four, the first time he’s batted there in Tests.
39th over: Australia 131-2 (Warner 52, Handscomb 15)
Eventful Taijul over again! To begin, another Handscomb lap over the shoulder, this timed better than the one in the previous over, down to the rope for his first boundary. Going nicely. To end it, Warner dropped at short leg. New man to the side that won at Dhaka, Mominul, has put one down. Lovely bowling to win the inside edge, but he’s slow to react from low in the stance and not able to get up in time. Typically shot legs have the opposite problem. Bad miss.
38th over: Australia 125-2 (Warner 51, Handscomb 10)
There’s Warner’s 50. Far from rapid, 98 balls to get there. Doesn’t make it any less valuable. No major commotion, plans to be there a for a long time. We read about his fitness regime since coming home from the Champions Trophy, preparing like a boxer to duke it out in the heat. It isn’t that hot today, but will be under that helmet. Handscomb playing his part too, lapping three with a tidy sweep. To double figures for him. Warner’s 29th innings in Asia and the first time he’s passed 50 in back to back innings, Murgers tells me on the telly. He really is an outstanding television commentator. Got a sense of how he directs traffic when doing a guest spot on the call with them yesterday. It’s not by chance that he ends up with the good oil so often.
37th over: Australia 120-2 (Warner 49, Handscomb 7)
Giant spin! Taijul has one come back more than any have in this match. It keeps low too. Warner was ready to get back and cut, but instead had to scamper down with his bat. Did it well. Cape the over with a single coming down the track, pushing to long-on. More of that aggressive batting, pressure straight back onto the fielding team. One short of a half-century.
36th over: Australia 117-2 (Warner 47, Handscomb 6)
Shakib to have a second burst. Warner gets another driving down the ground. Has done plenty of that today. Handscomb gets a fat inside edge when it is his turn, but nowhere near the hand of short leg.
Updated
35th over: Australia 116-2 (Warner 42, Handscomb 6)
The ideal start, scoring from four balls, breaking the field up. Three of those down the ground. “Would it be wrong of me to suggest this partnership is the one that will decide Australia’s fate in the match?” asks Phil Withall. Well, plenty of others have. A band of pundits suggested Australia only have four batsmen in this Test. Not sure they have watched much of Glenn Maxwell or Bec* Cartwright but that’s fine.
* See yesterday’s OBO. We landed on a nickname for young Hilton. It’s gotta be Bec. Tell ur m8s.
And we’re back. Taijul has the ball from the northern or media centre end. Warner on strike.
Also at tea...
The English County Cricket live blog is back! So open yourself a new tab and join my man Will Macpherson through the course of the opening day of a new round.
Updated
TEA: Australia 111-2 (Warner 42, Handscomb 5)
34th over: Australia 111-2 (Warner 42, Handscomb 5)
It’s Nasir Hossain with his little part-time offies to tempt out another wicket before the break for the hosts. But that won’t be the case, Warner at ease high on his toes with a couple. He’s punching in a similar direction to the last ball of the session for one more. He’s into the the 40s as they depart for tea.
96 runs in the session, with only the wicket of Smith falling about 15 minutes before the final break. The tourists looked in cruise control for much of the session, the captain looking a lock for a 21st Test ton. Enter Taijul. Overlooked throughout the session, he did Smith in first ball, through the gate from around the wicket. Nothing particularly special about the delivery, but the gap between bat and pad was found expertly by the left-arm orthodox.
Warner took a little longer to find his groove, but build into his innings steadily. That’s what Handscomb is doing as well, yet to play a false stroke since coming to the crease. A big job ahead of these two when we return in about a quarter of an hour. Some correspondence below to leave you with. Back shortly.
“Never assess a first innings total until seeing the second side bat, say the pundits. Well I reckon we’ve already seen enough of this Aussie reply to know that Bangladesh were at least 100 short.” The view of Dave Langlois on the email. “I expect Australia to power past their score and then we’ll see how they bat in the second innings under scoreboard pressure. Difficult to see anything else than an Aussie win from here.”
Bold! I think they’re short too - 353 the average first innings score here. But don’t underestimate the pressure on the visitors.
“Great to see this match being given such a quality OBO, by the way,” he adds. Ever so kind. Always a lot of fun. Thanks for writing in.
33rd over: Australia 107-2 (Warner 39, Handscomb 4)
Last one from this end of the session. Warner tucks one into the onside. Handscomb probably who they fancy bowling at anyway. But he is on the balls of his feet punching beautifully through cover point. Deserved a boundary, prevented by some committed chasing by two fielders, who kept it to three.
32nd over: Australia 103-2 (Warner 38, Handscomb 1)
Mehedi has bowled virtually unchanged this session. Goes again. Warner gets him down the ground for one, leaving half an over for Handscomb to negotiate. He finds his first run, from the 14th ball, on the charge and pushing hard to mid-off. Takes the one on offer. Warner keeps the strike with another.
31st over: Australia 100-2 (Warner 36, Handscomb 0)
My guy Taijul to twist again. First Warner has seen of him, immediately pulls a short ball square, to the sweeper though. That brings up the 100. Handscomb sees out the over with a variety of defensive strokes; some forward, others back. Twelve balls without scoring, but with eight minutes until the break that’ll be the only number on his mind.
30th over: Australia 99-2 (Warner 35, Handscomb 0)
Mehedi to Warner. “Yes boys, YES BOYS!” the roar from behind the wicket through the mics. It’s Mushfiqur, who won’t need to be told how crucial it is that Warner is put under maximum pressure here. Mehedi throws it up, then pushes one through. The opener up to it. Full again, he drives square for one. Handscomb uses his feet to come down to begin. Finishes deep in the crease, hitting the middle of the bat. Not a bad start for him, albeit yet to score.
Australia's Test No.3 since Ricky Ponting's retirement:
— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) September 5, 2017
Steven Smith - 1728 in 28 inns @ 69.12
Others - 2699 in 77 inns @ 35.99#BANvAUS
29th over: Australia 98-2 (Warner 34, Handscomb 0)
And now we’re into it. Game changes immediately. As noted before, 39 tons for Smith/Warner axis, six between the rest of the XI. Handscomb has a couple of those, but not since Sydney in January. Unusually for the Victorian he is forward here rather than back to begin; usually his happy place deep in the crease.
“One wicket away from a collapse,” emails Martin Turnbull. “Just wait and see.” That we will. Wicket maiden.
WICKET! Smith b Taijul 58 (Australia 98-2)
Taijul on (!!) and bowls Smith first ball! The Australian captain beaten through the gate. Gap between bat and pad, and through it goes. There is the vital breakthrough. The change has done it. Bangladesh are back in business.
28th over: Australia 98-1 (Warner 34, Smith 58)
More Mehedi. His 13th. Come on, Mushfiqur. Must throw it around. Three taken. Singles. Nothing doing.
“Given that Smith always has to score a 50 before he gets to each 100, it must be quite an emotional roller coaster for Geoff Lemon,” points out Peter Salmon. I can confirm this. When Younis got to 50 in Sydney, he was on tenterhooks, riding home every ball until he reached three figures. “But good that Smith has a reason to press on with his innings, rather than just getting out.” Right on.
What has Taijul done since last week? Give him a trundle, skip. Was brilliant in the second dig at Dhaka. #BANvAUS
— Adam Collins (@collinsadam) September 5, 2017
27th over: Australia 95-1 (Warner 33, Smith 56)
Shakib giving the standing sweep treatment again from Smith! Twice in a couple of overs when he lands too full with that outside leg approach. He’s motoring now. Bangladesh nearing real trouble, these two kicking with the wind with 25 minutes to tea.
26th over: Australia 90-1 (Warner 33, Smith 51)
Another over where four balls are scored off, singles as they see fit. The first of those brings up Steve Smith’s half-century. The 21st of his career, to go with 20 tons. I know my OBO colleague and platonic life partner (his phrase) Geoff Lemon will be angered by that at, if he’s following the blog from Burning Man in America. He has a real thing for guys who have more tons than 50s. In modern times, think Younis Khan and Michael Clarke, who both retired with one more in the centuries column than they had halfs. So he’ll be urging Smith to set it right by moving on to triple figures by stumps tonight. Not that the Aussie captain will require any further motivation for that.
25th over: Australia 86-1 (Warner 31, Smith 49)
Warner again down to the non-strikers’ end with a single first ball, steering Shakib off the back foot for one. Smith defending, until the last ball, where he plays a stand up sweep shot down to the boundary! That’s one way to negate any turn from outside the leg stump. No real rough to aim at, but that’s where the leg-armer is trying to open up the Australian captain. But he hasn’t stopped him here.
24th over: Australia 81-1 (Warner 30, Smith 45)
Warner into the 30s pushing past short leg to begin the new Mehedi set. Smith drawn forward to the rest of the over. He’s been better in his last couple. Still wouldn’t mind seeing Taijul from this end, though.
23rd over: Australia 80-1 (Warner 29, Smith 45)
Runs coming more easily from Shakib now too, five of them in this over from four scoring shots, running hard inside the invisible circle to begin the over, hitting sweepers at the end. Sure, one wicket and they’re in this - no doubt. But hard to see where that is coming from exactly.
Bit of response to Usman with the brolly on the twitter.
The brolly looks like those Peters ones on the lawn at Flemington.. sans ice creams 😑
— Jacob Walker (@JACOBWALK3R) September 5, 2017
He's better than that
— G (@_gaspanic_) September 5, 2017
there is something more than just faintly old colonial about it. uncomfortable or am i being over-sensitive?
— mike selvey (@selvecricket) September 5, 2017
22nd over: Australia 75-1 (Warner 27, Smith 42)
Mehedi better here, tinkering with his pace and flight through the over to Smith. He’s looking to score, but is more than comfortable knocking them on the head as well. Change of gloves for both at the end of the over. Murgers again with insight on TV, saying that both of these players travel with a DOZEN pairs of gloves, changing them once EVERY 20 MINUTES. Goodness me.
Good partnership between Smith & Warner but batting is thin so plenty to do still from here #BANvAUS
— Brett Graham (@worldofBG) September 5, 2017
21st over: Australia 74-1 (Warner 26, Smith 42)
Shakib gets one to rip back at Warner. He’s caught on the crease, and nearly trapped. Fantastic bowling on a track not giving a lot. Responds well, using the crease to push a couple behind point. Comes down to meet the next, but miscues after nearly yorking himself. Excellent flight from the spinner. Warner gets out of strife with a swept single. Smith does the rest. Better contest there.
20th over: Australia 71-1 (Warner 23, Smith 42)
Brian Murgatroyd all over it on the telly, noting that David Warner has switched the helmet he is using, observing that he also did this in the second innings at Dhaka where he made a ton. Nice eyes, Murgers. Mehedi gets another twist. Not sure about this. Slipping a bit, they need to keep throwing it around. A single for each. Smith looking particularly comfortable. I recall working out once his average in Tests after reaching 40. It’s a lot. Ominous for the locals.
19th over: Australia 69-1 (Warner 22, Smith 41)
Shakib keeps going. No Taijul yet. Quite liked his work last week. Soon enough. Quick single to get us going, Smith. Warner has a pop at a reverse sweep! There you go. Why not. Doesn’t get onto it, but he’s feeling ready to up a gear or two. More evidence of that with the classic cover drive he plays to end the over after coming down the track, stroking it along the carpet and into the rope. More of that cordial for Davey.
Usman's new gig. Must really be loving it. #BANvAUS pic.twitter.com/1TmHtx7ZDb
— Adam Collins (@collinsadam) September 5, 2017
18th over: Australia 64-1 (Warner 18, Smith 40)
Mehedi gets the last one before drinks. Smith flicks another to get into the 40s. An otherwise tame set from the off-spinners, who hasn’t looked likely. They get a glass of cordial for their efforts over the last 60 minutes. I suggest you do the same. We should all drink more cordial.
Statement from the BCB regarding the stone thrown at the window of the Australian team bus https://t.co/a6VogpbTOp
— Rick Eyre on cricket (@rickeyrecricket) September 5, 2017
17th over: Australia 63-1 (Warner 18, Smith 39)
Smith gets lucky! That was nearly a carbon-copy of the final day at Ranchi! Then, he shoved his pad out to Jadeja coming over the wicket and missed, the ball crashing into off-stump. This time he does the same, only a secondary thrust of the back pad getting in front of the ball. Otherwise, it would have been the same result. No LBW to worry about, the ball pitching well outside leg stump, but it might just be that Smith isn’t much chop at playing with his pads. He has good at using his bat though. Reckon he might revert back to that.
Updated
16th over: Australia 62-1 (Warner 18, Smith 38)
A couple more off Mehedi. Whatever mystique he had going on last week has diminished. At least far as these two are concerned. Warner benefits from a misfield in the covers to keep heading in the right direction, Smith takes one down to long-on in ODI style.
While loading you up with tea time reading, tuck into this superb interview with Chris Lewis at some stage. With Donald McRae, who sure can write. His chat with Sarah Taylor last week is well worth your time as well.
15th over: Australia 60-1 (Warner 17, Smith 37)
Warner brings out the sweep for the first time today, but doesn’t make contact. Follows with a more comfortable push to the offside, meeting the ball aggressively. He spoke a lot about his attack-first rationale after Dhaka, and how it relates to a far healthier mindset at the crease. I find all this stuff fascinating, writing about it in more depth with Warner earlier in the year.
14th over: Australia 58-1 (Warner 16, Smith 36)
The change goes come, Mehedi swung around to follow Mustafizur from the southern of pavilion end. It also has a sponsor name - let’s forget about. And I believe known too as the VIP End. In other words, not the end we media sit. Quite right, if you ask me. The teenage offie doesn’t concern Warner, who pushes out to midwicket to begin, or Smith, flicking two to fine leg himself. Taijul bowled very nicely with Shakib at Dhaka. Suspect they’ll be reunited soon.
13th over: Australia 54-1 (Warner 15, Smith 33)
They’re up for an inside edge! But no, Warner not given. No review either, so couldn’t have been that keen on it. Both men are in their baggy greens, suggesting that they know Mustafizur’s spell has concluded at the other end. Well, it’s baggy in Smith’s case. A proper baggy green. Warner? Not so much. I got to the bottom of why Warner had a new green cap on in Dhaka. But the sidebar to that is we are able to see with the new ones, made by Kookaburra, that they aren’t so baggy anymore. As Russell Jackson put to me last week, more a ‘tight green’. Should we start a petition? Smith couple behind square keeps the board ticking.
“Just a big thank you for the blog it is so good to have so I can keep up with the cricket,” emails Jenny Ransome. It is very much pleasure, I assure you. Welcome to the OBO family. It’s a good’un.
12th over: Australia 51-1 (Warner 14, Smith 31)
Sexy from Smith. Don’t give him a half-volley when his eye is in. Mustafizur the culprit. The 50 up, and the skipper into the 30s. Head over the top defending with the straight back for the rest. A nice looking track with no footmarks to speak of, there are plenty of runs out there for him this afternoon.
Might spam you with some Nath stuff as we go through the afternoon. Plenty of it.
Most 7-fors by Aus bowlers in Tests:
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) September 5, 2017
6 Warne (145 Tests)
5 Grimmett (37)
4 Spofforth (18), McGrath (124), LYON (68)#BANvAUS
11th over: Australia 47-1 (Warner 14, Smith 27)
Shakib has Warner watching, immediately finding his range. Had such a fantastic game in Dhaka. Cut off by a tidy catch from Wade yesterday in the middle session just when he looked a real menace. Both men take a single through the off-side with limited risk. That’ll do fine.
10th over: Australia 45-1 (Warner 13, Smith 26)
EDGE! Genuine one, but doesn’t go to hand. Only one slip in place for Mustafizur around the wicket. It is catching height, probably to third slip. They shuffle the slip in that direction in response, but it’s too late. Julian on the telly thinks the catcher is too deep in any case.
And now for last week’s MOTM.
Shakib into the attack
— Daniel Cherny 📰 (@DanielCherny) September 5, 2017
9th over: Australia 39-1 (Warner 13, Smith 20)
Mehedi persists around the wicket to Smith to begin with. Brendon Julian doesn’t like it, two more runs to start the over when he turns outside the captain’s leg stump. Easy work. Later in the over he’s into the 20s with a push down the ground. They consider another to the last ball, but Smith isn’t keen.
8th over: Australia 36-1 (Warner 13, Smith 17)
Different story up the other end, Mustafizur prompting consecutive false strokes from Warner. A big play and miss without much footwork to speak of. Next ball, carving off the back foot but off the edge. Through the cordon, but not to hand.
Brian Murgatroyd drops a killer fact on the telly. These two have 39 Test tons between them. Every other Australian player combined in this XI: six of them.
7th over: Australia 30-1 (Warner 7, Smith 17)
Not the best start from Mehedi after the break. Was lethal early on in Dhaka, but dropped away in the second dig. Not to question his overall class - he’s a freak. But nevertheless, Australia well into him here. Smith, specifically, with back to back boundaries. The first when he misses from around the wicket, the captain tucking him fine for the easiest of runs. Then the tweaker gives up a long half-volley, crashing a square drive to the rope as well. All of a sudden he’s 17 from as many balls. This is what he does.
6th over: Australia 21-1 (Warner 6, Smith 9)
Huge roar goes up for Mustafizur, the left-arm speedster continuing from the southern end. He’s a biiiiig deal. That’ll happen when you start your international career smashing India a couple of times, as he did a few years back as a teenager. Smith clips his second ball after the break for a single to square leg. Warner into it too, pushing with ease for three out to cover. Nearly makes the rope. Smith nearly Natmeg’s himself (google it; worth it) for a leg bye, before Warner retains the strike with a steer past point. Productive from the leadership duo.
In past 20 years, Ponting the only time when Aust best player has wanted to bat there come what may:
— Daniel Brettig (@danbrettig) September 5, 2017
S Waugh 5
Clarke 5
Smith 4 https://t.co/bhHhR3CGNo
5th over: Australia 15-1 (Warner 2, Smith 8)
Belt and braces from Mehedi to Warner around the wicket to begin. The opener, batting in his baggy green (we’re coming back to this), defends throughout. Albeit looking for a quick single at one stage. Sent back by Smith.
Looking forward to your company through the afternoon in all the usual places. By that, I mean please send me emails. Or tweet nonsense at me. Well up for all that.
Thank you, Samuel.
He does good work. Hello from Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong. By the end of the week I’ll learn to spell that without checking each time. They are superb conditions to bat outside, warming up as the morning went on. I’m full of vegetables and daal, ready to tell you how it is through to the close.
Not a huge amount to add from Sam’s end of session wrap, but Smith looked a treat before lunch, didn’t he? I have already recieved an email from Mark O’Connor informing me that Matt Renshaw averages 26 since Sydney. On the basis of his premature demise, albeit to a brilliant catch, he won’t be seen again today.
I’m going to reboot my computer so it runs nice and smoothly through the afternoon. While I do that, catch a bit of LCD Soundsystem’s comeback CD.
LUNCH - Day 2: Australia 15-1
The stage was set for Australia to claim honours for this session before Mustafizur, or should I say, Rahim, intervened with a thrilling bit of cricket to leave Australia shaky at the break at 15-1.
An arm-wrestled start saw an early wicket from Lyon’s second delivery followed by a productive stand of 28 between Nasir and Mehidy that threatened to inch the game away from Australia. Both batsmen absorbed the bowling early and had just started to tick matters over before Smith’s introduction of Agar who, in tandem with Lyon, swung the session back Australia’s way. They first removed the dangerous Nasir for 45, and then a quick capitulation included a Warner run out before Lyon burgled the last.
It meant Australia’s GOAT finished with the outstanding figures of 7-94, and it also meant Australia remained a sporting chance after dismissing Bangladesh for 305. They would have wanted to get Bangladesh for around 300 and to do it before lunch, and here they succeeded.
But as is so often the case in these Asian replies, things didn’t quite go to plan. Whereas normally a technical deficiency is brutally exposed, this time it was a bit of bad luck and an excellent catch behind the stumps that accounted for Australia’s first wicket - Renshaw departing for 4 after he tickled one down the leg side.
For Australia to take control of this match, it will require one (or both) of the current batsmen at the crease, Smith and Warner, to make a substantial contribution. The second session looks intriguing to say the least, and here to bring you all the colour and fanfare from proceedings will be Adam Collins, who I’ll hand over to now.
Thanks for staying with me and furthermore, thanks for letting me know that Agar’s nickname, Larry, has something to do with Larry Storch from F Troop. The connection isn’t clear to me but I recognise that’s my problem.
From a laptop somewhere, thanks.
Sam
Updated
4th over: Australia 15-1 (Warner 2, Smith 8)
The last one before lunch will be bowled by the left-handed Mustafizur, who maintains an off-stump line throughout. Smith looks comfortable enough defending on the front foot to the off-side, and punctuates the over with an open-faced drive behind point for four. The rest is managed comfortably and that will be lunch here in Chittagong. I’ll have a few thoughts to follow before handing over to our man in Chittagong, Adam Collins.
3rd over: Australia 11-1 (Warner 2, Smith 4)
There’s a short leg in for both Warner and Smith. Mehidy’s round the wicket to Warner, who finds a single off his hip after three balls. Mehidy stays around the wicket to Smith but strays to leg, allowing Smith to grab a leg bye fine and get himself off strike. Warner sees out the final delivery. There’s a little bit of tension here heading into lunch - Australia can ill-afford to lose another one here.
Updated
2nd over: Australia 9-1 (Warner 1, Smith 4)
Mustafizur took the reins from the other end - that’s seam for those playing at home - and as you’ve seen, had Renshaw caught down the leg-side. He might tell people he ‘strangled’ the Australian but that’d be disingenuous - it was a leg side half volley where the story is all about Rahim. A great catch. Smith comes to the wicket and commences with a glorious back foot drive through the covers for four, before missing a glance to end the over. Not far from leg stump, that.
WICKET! Renshaw c Rahim 4 (Australia 5-1)
A wonderful catch from keeper Rahim flying to his right. It’s fractionally unlucky for Renshaw, who was flicking a misdirected, full, leg-side ball that caught the inside edge of his bat. It was too fine, however, and Rahim has positively flown to his right and grabbed it one-handed to leave Australia one down heading into lunch. Steve Smith the next man in; the perfect start for Bangladesh.
Updated
1st over: Australia 4-0 (Warner 0, Renshaw 4)
Renshaw takes the first ball, and he’ll face the off-spinning Mehidy. We barely think twice about spinners opening now, don’t we? Renshaw defends the first and gesticulates wildly at someone/something moving behind the screen. Haven’t seen him cross before. He blocks one through the vacant mid on for four soon after, giving Australia four from the first over. The ball seems to be behaving (a cricketing cultural construct if there ever was one), though it’s early days.
Lyon’s third consecutive five-fa
Lyon finished with 7-94 there, and that was his third five wicket haul in a row. Great going for a guy who, as recently as last season, was still having his place questioned in the side in some quarters.
Bangladesh all out 305
Australia will have wanted to knock over Bangladesh before lunch, and they have. The day commenced much in the same spirit as it was played yesterday - an early wicket for Australia was followed by a healthy partnership from the home side which threatened to take Australia to lunch and beyond. But excellent bowling from Lyon and Agar, plus a skillful run out by Warner, ensured the quick demise of the Bangladesh tail. It leaves Australia very much in this game, though they’ll need to transcend their recent batting exploits in Asia to put the pressure back on the hosts. For what it’s worth, the wicket looks inviting enough for runs - though we’ve said that before, and seen the home side extract far more from its surface than the visitors. We can only wait and see, which is exactly what we’ll do in a few minutes, when Australia will face about 15 minutes of bowling before lunch.
WICKET! Taijul c Smith b Lyon 9 (Bangladesh 305)
Caught! Taijul charges at Lyon with abandon and tries to cream him over cover. The ball is always spinning away from him though and he succeeds only in gaining a healthy edge the travels at a comfortable height to Smith who takes an assured catch. Lyon finishes with seven.
113th over: Bangladesh 303-9 (Mustafizur 0, Taijul 7)
Maxwell’s arrival is greeted by Taijul with a big, swinging, lofted six over mid on - he shuffled down the wicket and heaved it hard, clearing the boundary comfortably. And in homage to good cricket, Taijul picks up a single via a glance to fine leg. Why take Agar off?
112th over: Bangladesh 296-9 (Mustafizur 0, Taijul 0)
So one more needed for Australia after that run-out, and it will be Glenn Maxwell into the attack now.
Updated
WICKET! Mehidy run out (Warner) 11 (Bangladesh 296-9)
Turning for a second that was never on, Mehidy is well short of his ground after a fantastic 35 metre throw from Warner hits the stumps direct, and Bangladesh are 9 down. After running a ball behind point on the off side, Mehidy ambled the first and tried to steal the second. Warner, chasing the ball down, picked it up, turned, set himself and fired the ball it to leave Mehidy about a metre and a half short.
Fair...
Wade's keeping is significantly better this test match; hopefully he has a similar revival with the bat #BANvAUS
— Nic Savage (@nic_savage1) September 5, 2017
111th over: Bangladesh 293-8 (Mehedi 8, Taijul 0)
The left-handed Taijul Islam’s the new man in, and calmly pats Agar down the deck for the remainder of the over. ‘Nice, Larry’, says Wade in support of Agar. Larry? Can someone confirm a) he said that and b) the etymology of this name? It’s important. Just rewards for Agar here, who’s bowled well since being introduced earlier this morning. Two to go for Australia. Will Mehidy chance his arm a little more now?
WICKET! Nasir c Wade b Agar 45 (Bangladesh 293-8)
There it is! Nasir was looking angsty for more runs and he nicks one to Wade who takes a good catch. It was a quicker, flatter one from Agar - potentially a fraction short - and it tempted Nasir into a cut that was too close for comfort. It slid on, took the edge and Wade did the rest. Another solid piece of glovework from Wade. Well deserved for Agar.
110th over: Bangladesh 293-7 (Mehedi 8, Nasir 45)
The Vaughan short mid-on goes, and Lyon is bowling flat and quick to Nasir to begin with. Will he try and tempt him? He does. He beats the inside of Nasir’s bat an unleashes a huge, elongated, solo shout for LBW. It’s nonchalantly given not out, and Smith’s equally nonchalant in his rejection of a review. Replays show Smith was right. Nasir gets a single and Mehidy blocks the last.
109th over: Bangladesh 292-7 (Mehedi 8, Nasir 44)
We’re watching an exercise in front-foot defence here as each ball seems like the last. But just as I say that Mehidy attempts a wild slog sweep that trickles to mid-wicket. That came from nowhere. Though when put next to Nasir’s skipping feet, perhaps it signals a desire to quicken the pace of scoring on the Tigers’ part. Mehidy sees no further opportunities from Agar this over however, so in the end there’s only one from it.
108th over: Bangladesh 291-7 (Mehedi 8, Nasir 43)
Lyon again, bowling with far more loop than Agar. Three balls in and Smith inserts a short mid-on - that fielder popularised by Michael Vaughan in the early 2000s. And it nearly works! Mehidy pops one up on the on side after trying to loosely stroke Lyon through the off. It lands in the middle of the Vaughan position and wide mid on; Maxwell diving forward in vain. A streaky two to finish for Mehedi, who’s otherwise batted very, very well for someone coming in at 9.
Updated
107th over: Bangladesh 288-7 (Mehedi 6, Nasir 42)
It’s Agar to resume and he has the ball spitting from the off with one that bites off the wicket and has Mehidy fending into the off side. The flatter trajectory looks to be the winner as Mehidy plays him from the front foot for the remainder of the over.
A huge hour for both teams here, really. Both batsmen look resolved to keep Australia out there while Australia would love to be in the sheds soon in pursuit of a huge first innings of their own with the bat.
106th over: Bangladesh 288-7 (Mehedi 6, Nasir 42)
A few more singles from the Lyon over and the partnership reaches 23. Nasir’s new dancing approach looks nervy but is so far working. He sees Lyon out and that’s drinks. Honours even again, I’d say.
105th over: Bangladesh 286-7 (Mehedi 5, Nasir 41)
Nasir is dancing a vigorous dance down to Agar on most deliveries here, jamming him away with bat and pad speared together. It creates a few speculative, muffled shouts from behind the stumps, but nothing serious. Seemed in a bit of a rush this over, Nasir, which might spell fun either way you look at it soon.
The bowlers Lyon has overtaken in Bangladesh, and those ahead of him until he reaches McDermott as the next Australian. Handy list. #BANvAUS pic.twitter.com/CofWgOhQko
— Adam Collins (@collinsadam) September 5, 2017
104th over: Bangladesh 283-7 (Mehedi 5, Nasir 38)
Overs getting quick now and Lyon’s making the ball talk. Nasir plays and misses with an airy drive early on, then the next almost cuts him in half - the ball just bounces over the stumps. He finds a run before Mehidy employs the ‘get well forward’ approach to see him out.
Both batsmen are in caps.
103rd over: Bangladesh 282-7 (Mehedi 5, Nasir 37)
So Agar is bowling the ball in to the wicket far more than his tweaking colleagues, and it looks a good tactic. It seems to keep both batsmen locked in to the crease, which increases the likelihood that a mistake will hurt them. Even so, it’s Mehidy who’s able to drag a lap sweep from outside off stump to find two to finish the over, which was otherwise fairly testing. Drinks soon.
102nd over: Bangladesh 280-7 (Mehedi 3, Nasir 37)
After a little bit of accumulation, the fourth ball sees Lyon hit Nasir’s pad and we’ll have a review! It’s achingly close, you know - Nasir was well forward in one of those strides that would have resulted in an immediate ‘not out’ before the advent of DRS. The ball spun back a little more sharply that Nasir expected and it hit pad first, was hitting the stumps, but struck him in umpires call territory. Thus, because of Umpire Llong’s original decision, Nasir remains.
101st over: Bangladesh 278-7 (Mehedi 2, Nasir 36)
Agar on, Cummins off. Can he find anything from this wicket? There’s not been as much on offer (so far) as there was in Dhaka. Third ball and Mehedi finds Handscomb at short leg - Wade, Smith and Handscomb celebrate as though it was a foregone conclusion, but Agar’s having none of it, as is Umpire Gould. Strange - Mehedi’s bat must have jammed into his pad to give the appearance of bat involvement. Replays confirm he was nowhere near it. Agar actually looks fairly good here, he’s bowling a little quicker and bringing the dangers of variable bounce into play. A maiden to start.
Meanwhile Mehidy is batting in a cap, for the novelty record.
Updated
100th over: Bangladesh 278-7 (Mehedi 2, Nasir 36)
Even with Lyon bowling Smith employs a long on for the new batsman Mehidy, which says something. He takes it before Nasir takes one to the sweeping man at backward square. Cummins’ over aside, the tactic has served well to curtail boundaries, but conversely building bowling pressure becomes appreciably tougher. Cricket. There’s three from the over.
99th over: Bangladesh 275-7 (Mehedi 0, Nasir 35)
But it is Cummins again, though I don’t think for much longer. Early on he bowls a cross-seamer that somehow finishes seam-up - Brendon Julian is transfixed by it. After that he’s smashed through the offside via a hard cut from Nasir for four, and two balls later he overpitches and is steered behind point by the same man for another boundary. He concedes yet more runs - this time two - through the off side to finish. He’s bowled an over too many - a blip on Smith’s part, I’d venture. Ten from the over.
98th over: Bangladesh 265-7 (Mehedi 0, Nasir 25)
The complexion of the match just changes slightly with Lyon’s wicket there - Australia’s undisputed talisman coming up trumps once again for his captain. Mehedi’s the new man and defends the rest of the over with a fraction more zeal than his predecessor. He found his line, length, trajectory and pace straight away, Lyon, and found a reward straight away. He’s unstoppable at the moment.
WICKET! Mushfiqur b Lyon 66 - Bangladesh 265-7
Lyon! Second ball! GOAT! That’s six for Lyon, who found his spot outside off and has Mushfiqur playing on. The batsman was setting himself for a regulation forward press, - the ball hits high on the inside half of his bat, hits the turf and spins on between bat and pad to the stumps. Replays show he was a little late on it, thus creating the post-shot spin. A little bit of luck too. Lyon is unemotional in celebration, which I like for some reason. First blow to Australia
Updated
97th over: Bangladesh 265-6 (Mushfiqur 68, Nasir 25)
He’s bowling ‘late 130s’, Cummins, but Mushfiqur and Nasir are in position early and defending with ease. It’s that type of defence where the body and head are still on contact and the bat looks very big. Cummins can’t have long left in this his fourth over of his spell. He’s at fifth stump and he’s seen off without trouble. Looking very solid, Bangladesh.
96th over: Bangladesh 264-6 (Mushfiqur 67, Nasir 25)
O’Keefe’s first ball reveals his pace. Nasir comes forward to drive, changes his mind, and gets back in plenty of time to cut. Usually you’ve only got time to go one way. He may need to speed it up, says the blogger at home. Both batsmen are accumulating singles fairly comfortably here, it must be said, with SOK so far unable to exert any pressure on the scoring or otherwise. The GOAT may be called upon soon.
95th over: Bangladesh 262-6 (Mushfiqur 66, Nasir 24)
The TV commentators dedicate the over to excoriating Steve Smith for bowling Pat Cummins for so long yesterday. We’re all once (eight times) bitten, twice shy, aren’t we? He looks fit and quick here though, testing out Nasir for the other with a mix of full and short. A hint of a tailing ball? Nasir finds the sweeper on the off to finish the over.
Updated
94th over: Bangladesh 261-6 (Mushfiqur 66, Nasir 23)
O’Keefe resumes and his offerings appear slower than usual - possibly in an effort to extract a little turn; possibly because he’s sore. Maybe both? He does get the ball to rag a little - though again, it’s slow rag. ‘Rag’, by the way, is one of the newer terms in the spinning lexicon. It’s hard to keep your cultural cache up in cricket. There’s a few quiet singles here as the day starts to find its rhythm.
93rd over: Bangladesh 258-6 (Mushfiqur 65, Nasir 21)
Cummins’ control has been so exemplary this match it leaves me wondering where he’s experimenting with a few here, or simply recapturing yesterday’s form. He’s either back of a length, straight, wide, or bowling that dry fifth stump line. Mushfiqur and Nasir are happy to ignore most of it, barring a Nasir single through the on-side. Quiet start here in Chittagong. Very sparse crowd, too. A couple of people on Twitter are saying it’s a result of the security incident yesterday, but I can’t confirm yet.
In other corners of Twitter...
Thank goodness for the Salvos and Nathan Lyon.
— Rodney Hogg (@RMHogg) September 4, 2017
Updated
92nd over: Bangladesh 257-6 (Mushfiqur 65, Nasir 20)
O’Keefe takes up the reins from the other end. First runs of the day to Nasir who’s punching from the back foot through the offside for one. The second one sneaks inside Mushfiqur’s bat and strikes the pad, sparking a six-out-of-ten shout. Smith’s employed a sweeper square on the off-side and both batsmen make use of him - that fielder typically a sign of concern about the innings getting away, interestingly. O’Keefe beats Mushfiqur to finish with a beauty.
91st over: Bangladesh 253-6 (Mushfiqur 62, Nasir 19)
Cummins kicks it off for Australia, and I think I speak for all when I express the overriding hope that he stays fit here. He looks good in his first though in an otherwise fairly benign over. Mushfiqur is watchful to balls pitched mainly back of a length.
It looks really hot out there.
Players are out on the field
Umpires Gould and Llong have made their way to the middle. The Australians are in a huddle. Always wondered what’s said here. Mushfiqur and Nasir are out there too. We’re told the wicket’ s dusty. Is that ominous? Does that mean Lyon will get 9-fer? We’ll find out soon.
Reports of a security incident overnight
Some of you may be across what’s being termed a ‘security incident’ in relation to the Australian team and the team bus overnight. Here are the quotes from Cricket Australia Head of Security, Sean Carroll:
“En route back to the hotel last night, a window on the Australian team bus was broken,” Cricket Australia head of security Sean Carroll said in a statement.
“Team security personnel are currently in discussion with local authorities while they investigate the cause, which is believed to have come from a small rock or stone.
“Bangladesh authorities are taking the incident seriously and security has been increased on the route.”
Day 2 - Welcome
Hello everyone, and welcome to our OBO coverage of Day 2 between Bangladesh and Australia.
It was a bit of a wrestle in Chittagong yesterday – one that saw Bangladesh emerge slightly ahead in this correspondent’s view. Resuming on 253-6, the hosts are probably only a partnership away from inflicting significant pressure on an Australian side that must win to take any mathematical solace from the series, and the Tigers’ resilience yesterday suggested they’re every chance.
While Australia sported a lopsided attack of tweakers, greenhorns and the recently exiled, Bangladesh set about resurrecting a poor start through Sabir and Mushfiqur. Ressurect they did – their partnership went a long way to ensuring that Australia will have to produce something fairly memorable to claw their way ahead in this Test. People mused on the sort of first innings lead Australia might need to give them a chance in the usually-perilous second; it would have to be in the region of at least 50 more than Bangladesh to be a shot, wouldn’t they?
It sets up this first session quite nicely, where the established captain Mushfiqur will resume on 66 not out, joined by Nasir on 19. It’s fair to say that drinking games can be established around the theme of early wickets, but clichés are there for a reason, I suppose. Inability to knock over Bangladesh this session won’t consign Australia to inevitable gloom, but Bangladesh’s fortitude yesterday afternoon is already making the prospects of an evened series a little hairy for the visitors.
With that in mind, I’d love to hear your thoughts on what lies ahead as we settle in for the first two hours here. I’m at @sjjperry on Twitter, or sam.perry.freelance@guardian.co.uk on email. Play will commence in 10 or so minutes. I’ll see you then.
Updated
Sam will be here shortly. A reminder of what happened on day one, when Nathan Lyon starred with the ball:
