Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Opener Tanzid Hasan became the first Bangladesh cricketer to score a Test century in Australia on Friday as the visitors dominated another day in Darwin to take a 153-run first-innings lead over Australia in the opening Test.
Tanzid’s 102 off 189 balls was the centerpiece of Bangladesh’s batting display as they reached 351/6 at stumps, having resumed the day at 96/1 and still 102 runs behind Australia’s first-innings total of 198.
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The 24-year-old reached his maiden Test century with a single off Nathan Lyon from 188 deliveries. It was a patient innings, built around long periods of defence and careful shot selection, but his stay at the crease ended almost immediately after he reached three figures.
AUS vs BAN, 1st Test Day 2: HIGHLIGHTS
Tanzid added only one more run before attempting to loft Lyon down the ground. He did not get enough on the shot and Mitchell Starc took the catch at long-off.
Before his dismissal, Tanzid had played a key role in Bangladesh’s recovery, first combining with Mominul Haque for a 102-run partnership for the second wicket.
Mominul fell for 49, but Bangladesh continued to make steady progress as captain Najmul Hossain Shanto joined Tanzid at the crease. The pair added 93 for the third wicket before Tanzid’s dismissal gave Australia some relief.
Shanto went on to score 84 from 126 balls and looked set to take Bangladesh deep into the final session. Australia eventually found a way through after taking the second new ball, with Shanto one of three Bangladesh batters dismissed in a four-over period.
That spell briefly gave Australia an opening, but Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Hasan Mahmud put on an unbeaten 43 for the seventh wicket to ensure Bangladesh finished the day firmly on top.
Mehidy was unbeaten on 32 and Hasan on 13 at stumps, with Bangladesh four wickets away from the end of their innings and already 153 runs ahead.
Bangladesh’s position is a significant turnaround after Australia were bowled out for 198 on the opening day. The visitors’ bowlers had kept Australia’s batting under pressure and their batters followed up with a disciplined performance on Friday.
Playing their first Test in Australia since 2003, Bangladesh have shown little sign of being overawed by the occasion or Australia’s highly rated bowling attack.
Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, along with veteran off-spinner Nathan Lyon, have struggled to make regular breakthroughs against a Bangladesh batting line-up that has been prepared to spend time at the crease.
The warm conditions in Darwin have made for a demanding contest, but Bangladesh’s batters have been willing to defend patiently and wait for opportunities to score.
Australia’s late burst with the second new ball was their best period of the day, but Mehidy and Hasan’s partnership ensured Bangladesh retained control going into the close.
The two-Test Top End series begins a demanding 12 months for Australia, who are scheduled to play 20 Tests, including series against South Africa, India and England.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
