Bangladesh v Australia, 1st Test, Day 2- 5 Talking Points

Playing his 50th Test match, Shakib Al Hasan is doing everything that he is known for. A 133-ball 84 with the bat, well constructed with 11 boundaries, along with some important stands on the way ensured that the hosts will end up on a decent note. He then picked up the night watchman Nathan Lyon and followed it up with a spectacular 2nd day.  Shakib shot down Australia for 217 and bagged figures of 5/68.

Bangladesh earned a lead of 43 runs and then went on to score 45/1 before the end of 2nd day’s play. Opener Tamim Iqbal is unbeaten on 30 while his partner Soumya Sarkar got out cheaply for mere 15. Night watchman Taijul Islam battled out nine deliveries to see off a day which favored the hosts mostly. Let’s have a look at the five talking points of the day’s play:

1) Shakib skittled visitors with a five-for

The all-rounder picked up the wickets of opener Matt Renshaw, who was looking good after facing 94 balls for his 45. He trapped spinner Nathan Lyon for a duck and also got the important wicket of Glenn Maxwell. The right hander had started to look dangerous but was stumped off a flighted delivery that prompted the batsman to advance down the crease only to see wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim do the rest.

He didn’t stop there. Shakib cleaned up pacer Pat Cummins with a delivery which didn’t turn much. It took an inside edge and disturbed the furniture in a terrible manner. Josh Hazlewood became his last victim, and also his fifth one. In the process, Shakib became only the fourth player to take five-for against all nine Test playing nations.  An achievement he will be proud of.

2) Ashton Agar’s unbeaten 41 helps visitors save grace

Ashton Agar has looked very impressive in his comeback game so far. He finished the day with the wicket of opener Soumya Sarkar but the major highlight was his crucial stand with Pat Cummins. The duo came together to bat with the visitors struggling at 144/8 and fought hard to take them to 193 before Cummins was bowled by Shakib. At one stage, it looked like Bangladesh will enjoy a lead of over 100 but this particular stand somehow saved the visitors from falling all apart.

Agar remained unbeaten on 41 and watched many of his colleagues lose their wicket. Agar was making a comeback in this Test series, after being in the cold for 4 years. He had earlier rescued Australia during the famous Ashes Test with a sparkling 98, but this was more like a close shave with embarrassment. Australia were finally rolled out for 217.

3) Renshaw top scores for the visitors

21-year old Matt Renshaw is just eight Test match old, but the opener has made a name for himself. The Yorkshire-born cricketer impressed one and all during Australia’s away series in India.  Renshaw not only kept his calm and gave his side good starts and also dealt well with the aggression of the opposition.

Here too, Renshaw let his bat do all the talking. He played a good hand of 45 off 94 balls, just missing out on his 4th fifty but enough to see the visitors in an average state. It was the highest score by an Australian in the first innings, with Agar’s unbeaten 41 at the end marked as second best. Renshaw saw his side lose 3  early wickets on day 1 and lost his stay, courtesy a dismissal by the all-rounder Shakib al Hasan.

4) Miraz acts as second fiddle to Shakib

It was Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who offered the first blow to the Australian side. Opener David Warner’s horrific sub-continental form won’t let him roam with ease, as he once again lost his wicket pretty early. Miraz dismissed the opener in the 6th over yesterday, after Warner played for the turn but got struck in front. Miraz. Australia lost 2 more wickets yesterday, as the hosts won the third session.

Miraz’s senior countryman Shakib was all over the visitors with his flight, spin, and drift; Miraz too got into the act and dismissed the Australian skipper Steven Smith for just 8 runs.  He bowled the best batsman of the visiting team and gave Bangladesh the lead they deserved. Miraz got a bit lucky towards the end, as his quicker one turned out to be too good for Matthew Wade, who got out LBW. The Hawkeye showed that the ball was missing the stumps, but it was too late.

5) Soumya Sarkar’s careless aggression breaks the impressive stand

With a lead of 43 runs under their bag, both the Bangladesh openers Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar got the host off to a good start.  With around 2 overs to go for the end of day’s play, Sarkar played a needless shot, and almost got a life as Usman Khawaja struggled to take the catch but held on to it in the fourth attempt.

Agar bowled a little outside with flight and Sarkar mistimed it. Sarkar went for 15 after batting for 74 minutes and seeing off the initial spells. An unbeaten stand would have given Bangladesh much relief as their day almost went as per plan. But with Tamim hanging on 30, it is still advantage Bangladesh.