Aussies level series thumping Tigers by 7 wickets

Lyon plots Bangladesh downfall in both innings

Standing on the brink of the history to script a maiden series-victory over Australia, Bangladesh miserably failed to live up to the expectation of playing aggressive brand of cricket what they promised ahead of the deciding Test. With back to the wall and on the knife-edge of sliding to as low as sixth in ICC Test rankings what could have been their worst in the history, Australia came up with all guns blazing to level the two-Test series with a commanding seven-wicket victory in the series-deciding game yesterday at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong.

Opener David Warner and off-spinner Nathan Lyon were in the fore to materialize to what would gave them a huge sigh of relief following their 20-run defeat in the first Test in Dhaka which sparked a huge criticism back in the country.

Warner demonstrated a huge patience in defying the humidity and unpredictability of the pitch to bring up a classical 123-run knock in the first innings before Lyon outsmarted Bangladeshi bowlers on their home pitch with a match haul of 13-154, his career best and a bowling figure that rewrote and scripted many records.

Lyon became the second Australian off-spinner to collect two 10-wicket hauls in his career after Hugh Trumble, who reached that milestone in 1902 with back-to-back 10-wicket totals in that year's Ashes series.

With nine in the first Test, Lyon has claimed 22 wickets in the series and surpassed J.J. Ferris' mark from the two-Test 1887 Ashes series, when Ferris picked up 18 wickets in the first two matches of his international career.

Lyon is the first Aussie and second bowler outside from the sub-continent to take 13 wickets in Asian region. His series tally of 22 wickets is only the second to Rangana Herath’s 23 in two-match Test series.

Lyon however followed up his seven for 94 with six for 60 in the second innings to wrap up Bangladesh’s innings for 157 on the fourth day of the match and gave the side a facile 86 runs target. He thoroughly tormented the Bangladesh batsmen with his quicker and straighter deliveries. The batsmen also hastened their downfall with some injudicious stroke making and even didn’t learn from the innings of Warner.

Australia lost three wickets for 48 but the victory was never out of the sight. As they dominated thoroughly, Glen Maxwell fittingly ended the match with a consecutive cover-drive four and slog-swept six over mid-wicket as Australia signed off the game in just 15.3 overs. Maxwell was unbeaten on 25 off 17 with two fours and as many sixes with Peter Handscomb on 16. Opener Matt Renshaw was out on 22.

Fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman, left arm spinners Shakib Al Hasan and Taijul Islam picked up one wicket apiece for Bangladesh.

Lyon helped Australia to bowl Bangladesh out just after the tea break. Left-arm spinner Steve O'Keefe (two for 49) and fast bowler Pat Cummins (two for27) complemented the effort of Lyon. Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim was the highest scorer for Bangladesh with 31. Mominul Haque made 29 and Sabbir Rahman added 24.

Mushfiqur and Sabbir combined for 54 runs for the sixth wicket before Lyon left them at precious 43 for five. As the partnership appeared to grow with confidence, Cummins took the wicket of Sabbir, who played an injudicious shot to be stumped. Sabbir hit two boundaries in his 59-ball knock.

The real blow came when Mushfiqur fended a delivery from Cummins to get a healthy edge. He faced 103 balls and hit just one boundary. Lyon then completed his second five-for of the Test and third straight, dismissing Mominul Haque (29) who tried a sweep shot against the turn and top-edged to Cummins at deep backward square-leg.

O'Keefe then joined Lyon in cleaning up Bangladesh's tail to give Australia a small target to chase.

Earlier yesterday, Australia failed to add to its overnight total and faced only nine balls to be all out for 377 in its first innings, leading by 72 runs.

In the second over, Mustafizur Rahman dismissed Lyon, who edged a ball to first slip. Mustafizur finished with four for 84. Opener David Warner led the Australians with 123, his second straight century in the series. Peter Handscomb scored 82 while captain Steve Smith added 58.

Electing to bat first, Bangladesh was bowled out for 305 in its first innings before David Warner’s second successive century (123) guided Australia to 377 and earned a crucial 72-run lead.

 

Aussies level series thumping Tigers by 7 wickets

Lyon plots Bangladesh downfall in both innings

Standing on the brink of the history to script a maiden series-victory over Australia, Bangladesh miserably failed to live up to the expectation of playing aggressive brand of cricket what they promised ahead of the deciding Test. With back to the wall and on the knife-edge of sliding to as low as sixth in ICC Test rankings what could have been their worst in the history, Australia came up with all guns blazing to level the two-Test series with a commanding seven-wicket victory in the series-deciding game yesterday at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong. Opener David Warner and off-spinner Nathan Lyon were in the fore to materialize to what would gave them a huge sigh of relief following their 20-run defeat in the first Test in Dhaka which sparked a huge criticism back in the country. Warner demonstrated a huge patience in defying the humidity and unpredictability of the pitch to bring up a classical 123-run knock in the first innings before Lyon outsmarted Bangladeshi bowlers on their home pitch with a match haul of 13-154, his career best and a bowling figure that rewrote and scripted many records. Lyon became the second Australian off-spinner to collect two 10-wicket hauls in his career after Hugh Trumble, who reached that milestone in 1902 with back-to-back 10-wicket totals in that years Ashes series. With nine in the first Test, Lyon has claimed 22 wickets in the series and surpassed J.J. Ferris mark from the two-Test 1887 Ashes series, when Ferris picked up 18 wickets in the first two matches of his international career. Lyon is the first Aussie and second bowler outside from the sub-continent to take 13 wickets in Asian region. His series tally of 22 wickets is only the second to Rangana Heraths 23 in two-match Test series. Lyon however followed up his seven for 94 with six for 60 in the second innings to wrap up Bangladeshs innings for 157 on the fourth day of the match and gave the side a facile 86 runs target. He thoroughly tormented the Bangladesh batsmen with his quicker and straighter deliveries. The batsmen also hastened their downfall with some injudicious stroke making and even didnt learn from the innings of Warner. Australia lost three wickets for 48 but the victory was never out of the sight. As they dominated thoroughly, Glen Maxwell fittingly ended the match with a consecutive cover-drive four and slog-swept six over mid-wicket as Australia signed off the game in just 15.3 overs. Maxwell was unbeaten on 25 off 17 with two fours and as many sixes with Peter Handscomb on 16. Opener Matt Renshaw was out on 22. Fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman, left arm spinners Shakib Al Hasan and Taijul Islam picked up one wicket apiece for Bangladesh. Lyon helped Australia to bowl Bangladesh out just after the tea break. Left-arm spinner Steve OKeefe (two for 49) and fast bowler Pat Cummins (two for27) complemented the effort of Lyon. Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim was the highest scorer for Bangladesh with 31. Mominul Haque made 29 and Sabbir Rahman added 24. Mushfiqur and Sabbir combined for 54 runs for the sixth wicket before Lyon left them at precious 43 for five. As the partnership appeared to grow with confidence, Cummins took the wicket of Sabbir, who played an injudicious shot to be stumped. Sabbir hit two boundaries in his 59-ball knock. The real blow came when Mushfiqur fended a delivery from Cummins to get a healthy edge. He faced 103 balls and hit just one boundary. Lyon then completed his second five-for of the Test and third straight, dismissing Mominul Haque (29) who tried a sweep shot against the turn and top-edged to Cummins at deep backward square-leg. OKeefe then joined Lyon in cleaning up Bangladeshs tail to give Australia a small target to chase. Earlier yesterday, Australia failed to add to its overnight total and faced only nine balls to be all out for 377 in its first innings, leading by 72 runs. In the second over, Mustafizur Rahman dismissed Lyon, who edged a ball to first slip. Mustafizur finished with four for 84. Opener David Warner led the Australians with 123, his second straight century in the series. Peter Handscomb scored 82 while captain Steve Smith added 58. Electing to bat first, Bangladesh was bowled out for 305 in its first innings before David Warners second successive century (123) guided Australia to 377 and earned a crucial 72-run lead.