Dhaka Test looks wide open
Warner, Lyon put Australia on track
Sports Reporter
For the first time in the match, Australia dominated Bangladesh for a full session to raise the prospect of their only third victory in the sub-continent in a decade. They still need to bat out of their skins with the pitch offering variable bounce. Even though the pitch looked modest than the previous two days, some of the balls carried extra bounce and some even kept low. Australias highest chase in the sub-continent is 307 against Bangladesh in 2006 but apart from that match they never chased anything excess 200. Their second highest successful chase is 195.
At the close of the day three, Australia comfortably placed at 109-2, needing 156 runs to win the first Test with eight wickets at hands. Bangladesh set them a 265 after being bowled out for 221 in the second innings.
Much to the despair of Bangladesh, the two best batsmen of Australia and world current are at the crease with captain Steven Smith on 25 and his deputy David Warner on 75.
Despite losing two wickets early in the morning, Bangladesh were in the charge before off-spinner Nathan Lyons six for 82 stalled the hosts rapid progress and wrapped up them for 221, half-an-hour after tea break. Warner took the baton from
Lyon, hitting off-spinner Mehidi Hasan Miraj for two boundaries in the first over. As he made it his habit, Mehidi brought up early breakthrough for Bangladesh, dismissing Matt Renshaw for 5. Left arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan then removed Usman Khawaja (1). Australia were at precarious 28 for two.
Things could have been worst but Warner on 14 survived a tough chance when he edged to first slip off Shakib. Australia survived another scare after Steven Smith survived from a stumping chance. As Mushfiqur Rahim took off the bail, Steven Smith believed he was stumped in the first ball he faced off Mehidi and walked off. The TV replay confirmed his feet didnt cross the line. Thereafter the duo combined for an unbeaten 81-run partnership to keep Bangladesh frustrated.
Warner hit 11 fours and one six, facing only 96 balls. Coming off an epic series in India in which he piled up 499 runs in four Tests, including three centuries, Smith was watchful throughout the innings and hit just one boundary. Warner on the other hand, kept scoring at fluent pace, much to the disappointment of the Tigers.
Earlier, Lyons 10th five-for helped Australia claw back into the game when Bangladesh was in charge. Left-arm spinner Ashton Agar contributed with two for 55. Lyon broke through in the sixth over, dismissing nightwatchman Taijul Islam for 4 after Bangladesh resumed at 45 for one. He then dismissed Imrul Kayes (2) with a delivery that carried extra bounce.
Pat Cummins gave the vital breakthrough just after the lunch, winning a video review against Tamim Iqbal, who was caught behind. Tamim sent the ball across the rope eight times in his 155-ball 78. It was his second half-century in the match after his 71 in the first innings. Lyon then got the better of Shakib Al Hasan (5), who tried to clear the boundary but holed it out to cover.
Mushfiqur Rahim stalled Australias progress with support from Sabbir Rahman. Mushfiqur was then run out unfortunately scoring 41 off 114. Mushfiqurs dismissal sparked a collapse as Bangladesh lost three wickets in 10 balls without scoring a run.With 186 for eight, Mehidi and Shafiul Islam took the score past 200.
