DHAKA: ROCKET Australia Bangladesh Test Series. Second Test at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong. Score Card at Stumps Day Three.
Australia 377 for 9 (Warner 123, Handscomb 82, Smith 58, Mustafizur 3-84) lead Bangladesh 305 by 72 runs.
On rain curtailed third day birth day boy Mustafiz found his special edge, Mehedy appeared with his penetration and accuracy. These two combined very effectively did damage control limiting Australian lead at stumps to 72 with one more wickets to grab. Few catches were dropped again. But Bangladesh looked far more positive and let things happen rather than waiting for things to happen. David Warner scored yet another century his slowest but perhaps one of his best. Other than him, Handscomb and Smith rest of the batting was pretty ordinary. Still 72 runs lead and still few more may be added may prove useful. While Australia would love to win and square the series. But taking 10 Bangladeshi wickets cheaply again on not too difficult wicket won’t be easy. Bangladesh would need batting sensibly without taking undue risks. A draw will earn them the series and what a wonderful series win it would be.
Day three morning Australia definitely planned to bat Bangladesh out of the game with Warner and Handscomb firmly anchored and Australia not feeling much behind .They never thought of the prospect of batting a second time on a wicket which has already started showing some tricks.
Rain came in torrent half an hour before the match could let rolling and entire pre-lunch session was lost.. When play resumed Warner in quest of a quick single had his partner Handscomb getting run out.He endured heat and humidity of day two and was well set for a century. But was outsmarted by Shakib at 82 .Warner went on scoring his back to back test century. Only time will say how valuable was his contribution very much against his style of Batting Mustafiz finding bounce to his liking started bowling short and first. Some deliveries were reversing. He bounced out Warner – a very important breakthrough at crucial time. Miraj and Shakib started pitching on the rough. Suddenly batting started looking different.3 wickets each by Mustafiz and Mehedy did not let Australia run away with huge lead. When stumps were drawn for the day Australia was 72 in front with the last pair at the wicket.
Bangladesh would need bat sensibly and try and post at least 230 runs target for Australia on the fifth day wicket. But before that the last wicket needs to be wrapped up ASAP.
Bangladesh dropped at least 6 catches some very easy ones. When a team plays a very strong opposition such luxuries cannot be afforded. The second day Bangladesh looked very ordinary and flat. The body language completely changed on day three and outcome can be seen.
BDST: 2000 HRS, SEP 06, 2017
EHJ
