Source :- THE AGE NEWS
Australian women’s vice captain Ash Gardner has taken to social media on Thursday afternoon to publicly apologise to her ex, Monica.
After Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg told this masthead earlier that Gardner would have to recuse herself from any leadership meetings about the selection of her current partner, teammate Georgia Voll, Gardner said she was “grateful that the CA board has chosen to support my continued leadership”.
“While my separation from my wife is a personal matter, I understand my current relationship status needed to be addressed by Cricket Australia given my position as vice-captain,” she posted to her Instagram story.
“I am grateful for the time Monica and I shared and sorry for the pain this has caused. I wish her nothing but happiness and success in the future.”
Gardner said she looks forward to continuing her leadership role.
“I won’t be making any further public comment on this matter at this time and ask that the privacy of those involved is respected,” she added.
That’s 20 overs down and Australia are desperate for another scalp.
After Australia were bowled out for a meagre 198 – Steve Smith top scoring with 71 – Bangladesh have batted with purpose to reach 1-81 on day one of the opening Test in Darwin. We have 20 minutes of play remaining.
Tanzid (27) and Mominul (28) have kept the score ticking over and have rarely looked in trouble. They looked right at home against veteran Nathan Lyon, scoring 16 from his three overs.
The Bangladesh batters have no fear of this Australian attack.
Pat Cummins tries to bounce No.3 Mominul, but he opens the face of his bat and glides the ball over keeper Alex Carey’s head. Nice shot.
Bangladesh 1-63. Tanzid 19 (43), Mominul 17 (27). Australia all out for 198.
Pat Cummins throws the ball to Nathan Lyon. Let’s see if our No.1 spinner can land a late blow on day one of this opening Test against Bangladesh in Darwin.
To date, Mitch Starc has taken the only wicket. Bangladesh 1-57.
Australian women’s vice captain Ash Gardner has taken to social media on Thursday afternoon to publicly apologise to her ex, Monica.
After Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg told this masthead earlier that Gardner would have to recuse herself from any leadership meetings about the selection of her current partner, teammate Georgia Voll, Gardner said she was “grateful that the CA board has chosen to support my continued leadership”.
“While my separation from my wife is a personal matter, I understand my current relationship status needed to be addressed by Cricket Australia given my position as vice-captain,” she posted to her Instagram story.
“I am grateful for the time Monica and I shared and sorry for the pain this has caused. I wish her nothing but happiness and success in the future.”
Gardner said she looks forward to continuing her leadership role.
“I won’t be making any further public comment on this matter at this time and ask that the privacy of those involved is respected,” she added.
Let’s see if the skipper can trigger a Bangladesh batting attack.
Cummins has rolled down two overs without luck, but we know he will be probing away, searching for a wicket.
He has thrown the ball to Cameron Green at the other end in the hope the all-rounder can have more success with the cherry than he did with the bat. Green fell for 13 earlier in the day. Another disappointing return.
Bangladesh 1-53 off 14 overs, chasing 198. Tanzid 17 (38), Mominul 9 (17).
The tourists are making a fair fist of this match in Darwin.
Many expected the cricketing minnows to be steamrolled in a mega mismatch, and that still may unfold, but to date Bangladesh have taken the first-day honours as we head to a drinks break in the final session.
Australia were bowled out for 198, and Bangladesh are 1-41 off 12 overs in return.
Mitch Starc has taken the only wicket – Shadman caught at backward point by Nathan Lyon.
Mitch Starc strikes, Bangladesh lose their first wicket.
Opener Shadman Islam tries to hit Starc off his legs but can only manage a leading edge. It flies to Nathan Lyon at backward point, and “Gazza” dives forward to swallow the catch. Lyon will be relieved after spilling a chance earlier in the innings.
Starc appeals again after hitting new batter Mominul low on the pads with a full toss and thinks he has him lbw. The umpire turns him down, and Starc wants to send it upstair for a review.
But before the Aussies opt to use one of their challenges, Travis Head intervenes. “Bat, bat,” Head says, indicating that Mominul has hit the ball first. Replays show that he is right. Nice one, Trav.
Cameron Green is into the attack. Bangladesh 1-36. Australia first innings 198.
Suddenly, the demons of the Darwin pitch have disappeared. Bangladesh have moved to 0-34 off eight overs from Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.
This on a pitch that the Aussie batters struggled to gain any momentum. The home team slumped to 4-74 by lunch and never recovered, bowled out for 198.
To the Australian’s defence, batting conditions did look at their toughest in the opening two hours. The ball zipped around off the seam, moved in the humid air and was two-paced off the pitch.
Strange then that Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bat. Maybe he was giving the tourists a sporting chance? Good on you, Pat.
Oh dear, veteran Nathan Lyon has grassed a catch.
Bangladesh left-hander Tanzid tries to whip a ball across his legs from Mitch Starc but catches a leading edge and skies it high in the air. Lyon ran from point to take the catch and looked to have plenty of time.
He seemed to be in complete control … Except he completely misjudged the drop, and the ball brushed his fingertips on the way to the turf. Starc will not be happy. That’s a straight-forward catch for a Test cricketer. Maybe Lyon is a bit like the rest of us – confused that Test cricket is being played in Australia during August.
Bangladesh are 0-8 off three overs. Tanzid 2 (6), Shadman 0 (11). Starc and Hazlewood have opened the bowling. Australia were all out for 198.
David Warner thinks Bangladesh’s batters could be in with a shot after keeping Australia under 200 in Darwin. Now we get to see if he is right.
Mitch Starc has taken the new ball. Shadman Islam is facing, Tanzid Hasan is at the non-striker’s end.
“I think it’s a message to the Australian public that this Bangladesh team has come to play,” Kerry O’Keeffe said on Kayo Sports after the Australian innings of 198.
“A lot of people were of the opinion this game wouldn’t go too many days, but Bangladesh have clearly won day one thus far.”
