Sloppy fielding lets down Tigers
Australia take valuable lead in first innings
Syed Mohammed Pithu, Ctg
Bangladesh paid the price of their sloppy fielding and attitude on the field for the consecutive days and let Australia stay on top with a 72-run lead on the rain-affected third day of the second Test yesterday at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong.
The fielders shelled at least three catches, one of which against Glenn Maxwell proved so costly. Despite a sublime century of David Warner, Bangladesh still could limit the damage had Mehedi Hasan Miraj not put down a sitter at gully when Maxwell was on 10.
Maxwells dismissal could expose the tail much earlier but the aggressive batsman played an uncharacteristic innings like Warner to resist Bangladesh from wrapping up Australias innings in the 54 possible overs of the day.
As the days start delayed by 3.30 hours due to heavy shower, 67 overs were supposed to be held. However before the bad-light brought a pre-mature end to the day, Australia were 377 for nine, in reply of Bangladesh first innings total 305.
The day belonged to David Warner who hit a sublime 123 off 234, including seven fours, to pave the platform of dominating Bangladesh. Showing a huge patience unlike his brand of cricket, Warner defied heat and unpredictability of the pitch to bring up his century off 209 balls, his slowest ever in his 66-match career. Never he did bring a century playing more than 154 balls, indicating how gritty he was in the crease.
It was also his second straight century after his 112 in the second innings of Dhaka Test. In doing so, he became only the sixth Australian batsman after Bob Simpson, Alan Border, Damien Martyn, Mike Hussey (twice) and Michael Clarke to hit back-to-back century in Asia.
It was Warners second longest innings after his 286-ball knock against New Zealand in 2015 in a match in which he made his career best 253.
After a delayed start Warner and Peter Handscomb resumed on 225 for two and began the day cautiously. With Warner reaching 99 without hassle, Handscomb was run out as Shakib Al Hasan made a direct throw from square leg, ending the 152-run partnership. Handscomb hit six boundaries in his 144-ball 82.
Warner waited for 16 balls before he cleared the boundary with a cover drive to reach the three-digit figure.
Pacer Mustafizur Rahman, who turned 22 on Wednesday, dismissed Warner as Imrul Kayes completed the catch at leg gully on third attempt.
Glenn Maxwell and Hilton Cartwright surpassed Bangladeshs first innings total 305 before the latter was dismissed by offspinner Mehedi Hasan Miraj just before tea. Cartwright who scored 18, could have been out on 6, had Mehdi held on the return catch that hit his rib cage and needed a medical attention.
But Mehedi hit back with bang. After shelling the catch of Maxwell off Mustafizur, he dismissed the batsman to take a sweet revenge even though the damage was done. Maxwell faced 98 deliveries to score 38 with three boundaries.
Soumya Sarker missed another sitter at slip when Ashton Agar offered a catch off Shakib Al Hasan delivery. That didnt prove costly as he added just one run to be out on 22 at the hands of the same bowler.
However Maxwells dismissal effectively blocked Australias way to earn a bigger lead as Mustafizur Rahman and Mehedi made Australia nine down.
Steve OKeefe was batting on 8 with Nathan Lyon yet to open his account.
Mustafizur Rahman and Mehedi Hasan picked up three wickets apiece while Shakib Al Hasan and Taijul Islam took one each.
