Gutsy Warner leads Australia’s strong reply in Chittagong Test
CHITTAGONG: David Warner made 88 not out and featured in two significant partnerships to lead Australia’s robust reply to Bangladesh’s first-innings total of 305 in the second and final test on Tuesday.
Smarting from their embarrassing defeat inside four days in Dhaka, Australia’s top order fired up to help them reach 225-2 as the tourists, still 80 runs behind, press for a pride-salvaging victory in Chittagong.
Known for his explosive batting, Warner hit only four boundaries in his patient knock as he kept Australia on course for a handy firstinnings lead which often clinches test matches in the subcontinent.
Peter Handscomb, Warner’s partner in their unbroken 127-run stand, braved Bangladesh’s relentless spin assault and dehydration to remain not out on 69. His fourth test fifty included five boundaries.
Earlier, Nathan Lyon claimed 7-94, his second-best figure, as Bangladesh added 52 runs to their overnight score of 253-6 before collapsing.
The off-spinner, who had claimed five wickets on Monday, struck with his second delivery of the day, dismissing Mushfiqur Rahim for 68.
Ashton Agar dismissed the other overnight batsman Nasir Hossain for 45 with Matthew Wade, whose place in the playing XI was in doubt going into the test, taking a fine catch.
Warner then ran out Mehidy Hasan before Lyon dismissed Taijul Islam to claim his seventh wicket.
When Australia returned to bat, Mushfiqur took a spectacular diving catch to dismiss Matt Renshaw for four but Warner and Steve Smith raised 93 runs for the second wicket to overcome the loss.
Warner defended resolutely, letting Smith dominate their partnership, before the Australia skipper was bowled through the gate for 58 by spinner Taijul Islam. Smith hit eight boundaries in his fluent knock.
New man in Handscomb proved an able ally as Warner frustrated Bangladesh with his compact defence, scoring largely through singles and twos, and he was upset with himself for not carrying on.
The heat and humidity took a toll on Handscomb who looked dehydrated and needed medical attention towards the end before resuming batting.
Rahim wasted a stumping opportunity when Warner, then on 73, charged out to Mehidy Hasan and missed the ball which kept low and hit the stumper’s pad.
Security was tightened around the match after the Australian team bus was hit by a rock on Monday. BANGLADESH FIRST INNINGS T Iqbal lbw Lyon ..................................... 9 S Sarkar lbw Lyon................................. 33 I Kayes lbw Lyon .................................... 4 M Haque lbw Lyon............................... 31 Shakib c Wade b Agar .......................... 24 M Rahim b Lyon................................... 68 S Rahman st Wade b Lyon ................... 66 N Hossain c Wade b Agar..................... 45 M Hasan (run out) ............................... 11 T Islam c Smith b Lyon ........................... 9 M Rahman (not out) .............................. 0 Extras (B-5) ........................................... 5 Total (all out, 113.2 overs) ................ 305 Fall of wickets: 1-13, 2-21, 3-70, 4-85, 5117, 6-222, 7-265, 8-293, 9-296. Bowling: Cummins 22-5-46-0, Lyon 36.2-7-94-7, O’Keefe 23-0-79-0, Agar 23-9-52-2, Maxwell 4-0-13-0, Cartwright 5-1-16-0. AUSTRALIA FIRST INNINGS M Renshaw c Rahim b Mustafizur ......... 4 D Warner (batting) ............................... 88 S Smith b Taijul .................................... 58 P Handscomb (batting) ....................... 69 Extras (B-4, LB-2) .................................. 6 Total (For 2 wkts, 64 overs) ............... 225 Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-98. Bowling: Mehedi 20-2-53-0, Mustafizur 10-0-45-1, Shakib 15-0-52-0, Taijul 151-50-1, Nasir 1-0-4-0, Mominul 2-0-6-0, Sabbir 10-0-9-0