Aussies chase 86 to level series

AUSTRALIA was chasing 86 runs for a series-levelling victory in the second Test in Chittagong last night after bowling out Bangladesh for 157 on day four.

The hosts were dismissed in their second innings shortly after the tea break, with 23 overs remaining for Australia to wrap up the victory and avoid returning for a fifth day.

Offspinner Nathan Lyon again led the way for Australia, backing up his seven-wicket haul in Bangladesh’s first dig to record career-best match figures of 13-154.

Lyon’s 6-60 in the second innings took his wicket tally for the tour to 22, just one shy of Sri Lankan tweaker Rangana Herath’s record for the most dismissals in a twomatch Test series.

An innings victory for Australia had looked like a genuine possibility when Bangladesh collapsed to 5-43 before lunch.

But Mominul Haque (29) and skipper Mushfiqur Rahim led a rearguard action to keep the hosts in with a chance.

Mushfiqur, who is bound to come under scrutiny from match officials for angrily confronting umpire Ian Gould before lunch, departed on 31 when Pat Cummins had him caught behind.

Cummins (2-27) was forced to battle through stifling heat but still managed to rattle the Bangladeshi batsmen with sheer pace and an array of short-pitched deliveries.

Matthew Wade made an important contribution with the gloves, stumping danger man Tamim Iqbal (12) and Shabbir Rahman (24) both off the bowling of Lyon. Shakib Al Hasan (2) and Nasir Hossain (5) were caught in the slips in quick succession, the latter falling to the bowling of Steve O’Keefe (2-49). Australia were earlier bowled out for 377 in their first innings, with the visitors unable to add to their 72-run overnight lead after resuming with one wicket in hand.