Bangladesh 64 and 39 for 3 trail Australia 210 (Green 67, Smith 42, Shoriful 7-48) by 107 runs
Australia made early inroads into the Bangladesh second innings on the second day of the Mackay Test as the visitors reached 39 for 3 at lunch, still 107 runs behind after Australia had made 210, with the game heading for a potential two-day finish.
Mitchell Starc, who took 6 for 12 in the first innings, was again in his element picking up two of the three wickets to fall in another short burst. Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto tried to counter-attack with five boundaries, unbeaten on 23, alongside Mushfiqur Rahim who was batting on 4.
Shadman Islam was Starc’s first wicket this morning. The left-hander was again squared up to a full delivery, giving a tame catch to Marnus Labuschagne at point. Starc bowled Mominul Haque next ball as he left the ball although it looked like he was also trying to bring his bat down when he realised that it was too full and straight to leave.
Tanzid Hasan was next to go, top edging Pat Cummins down Starc’s throat deep fine leg. He now has scores of 0, 0 and 9 in the three innings following his century in Darwin.
Australia batted for 12.3 overs in the morning session, adding a valuable 45 runs in the process. Cameron Green struck the ball sweetly throughout his innings of 67 off 105 balls which included ten fours.
However, Shoriful Islam ended Green’s stay with a superb inswinging yorker that struck his toe to add to the six wickets he took on the opening day. Shoriful’s 7 for 48 were the best bowling figures for a Bangladesh pace bowler in Tests, and the team’s best bowling figures in an overseas Test match.
Nathan Lyon contributed an important unbeaten 32 towards the end, adding 38 runs for the ninth wicket with Green, and later slammed Taskin Ahmed for a four and a six in a 17-run over.
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