Cricket: After a first day in Darwin unexpectedly dominated by Bangladesh, Australia will be aiming to bounce back in the first Test at Darwin’s TIO Stadium.
Australia managed a below-par total of 198 against the visitors’ unheralded bowling attack - and that would have been much worse if not for Steve Smith, who played a lone hand with 71.
Bangladesh steadied to 1-96 at stumps on the back of a 60-run second-wicket stand between Mominul Haque (35 not out) and Tanzid Hasan (32 not out), who easily dealt with a vaunted bowling attack.
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Stumps in Darwin
That’s stumps on what has been another day which has undoubtedly belonged to Bangladesh.
And there was even drama on the last ball of the day, with Cam Green putting down Mehidy at point.
After Australia claimed 3-11 after tea with the second new ball, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (32 not out) and Hasan Mahmud (13 not out) steadied the tourists before stumps.
Stunningly, Australia remain 153 runs behind - and will need to claim four more wickets before they get off the field.
We will be back for the third day tomorrow from 10am Darwin time.
STUMPS: BAN 6-351
Marnus on
After a spell off the field, Marnus Labuschagne was called into the bowling attack in a clear sign of Australia’s desparation.
Unlike Jamie Smith last summer, Bangladesh’s batters did not surrender their wickets to his barrage of mid-120km/h bouncers.
BAN 6-348
Mehidy on the move
Mehidy Hasan Miraz has moved along to 26 not out, getting there with a brilliant cover drive.
And later in the over, Mitchell Starc took objection to him running down the wicket.
The all-rounder is the only Bangladesh batter to have entered the game off a good showing in their tour match, having made 109 not out in the first innings.
BAN 6-345
Mahmud hanging around
Hasan Mahmud claimed six wickets in the first innings, and he’s now doing his job with the bat.
He’s been more focused on defence than survival throughout his 13 not out from 51 deliveries, but was just rewarded with two for clipping Mitchell Starc off his toes.
BAN 6-339
Bangladesh back on track
There is now under an hour until stumps, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (16 not out) and Hasan Mahmud (11 not out) are refusing to give their wickets away.
After a strong intial burst with the new ball, Australia’s energy in the field looks to have dropped away again.
BAN 6-333
No luck with review
Alex Carey talked Pat Cummins into a review from a Nathan Lyon delivery to Hasan Mahmud.
And although edge detection technology showed a spike, it was from the ball brushing the pad.
BAN 6-330
Bangladesh grinding
Australia are now being frustrated by Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Hasan Mahmud, who are not giving their wickets away.
Drinks are now coming onto the field at TIO Stadium.
BAN 6-324
Fortune favours the brave
Bangladesh’s No.7 and No.8 are riding their luck here.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz flashed hard at a Josh Hazlewood wide half-volley, and was rewarded with the ball flying over the cordon.
BAN 6-322
Tailender trouble?
Much of Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Hasan Mahmud’s runs in the early stages of their innings have come from outside edges.
But the tail-enders are hanging tough as they aim to keep Australia in the field.
BAN 6-316
Rahim follows!
It’s all happening for Australia in Darwin now!
Mushfiqur Rahim could not help but edge a delivery from Cummins which got some extra lift into the cordon, where Smith claimed his third catch within the span of half-an-hour.
The veteran is on his way for 36, and that’s now a collapse of 3-11.
BAN 6-308
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