BAN v AUS, 1st Test, Day 3 Review: Lyon's six, Warner-Smith stand gives visitors the edge

An unbeaten 96-ball 75 runs knock from David Warner and a watchful 25 off 58 balls contributed by skipper Steve Smith made sure Australia go into the 4th day’s play with 156 more to win and 8 wickets intact. Warner churned out 11 boundaries and a six after being disturbed initially, as the Bangladeshi bowlers pushed the visitors to a corner with two quick wickets.

Warner didn’t get off to a smooth start and took his own time. But his approach in the second innings was more positive than his game in the 1st innings. He soon danced down the track and took Shakib to the stand, he was using his feet to good effect, as Smith watched the opener get into his rhythm.

The skipper survived a few close chances and sailing through the turbulence, the duo put on an 81 run-stand for the second wicket. With 8 wickets to get in 2 days time, the hosts very well know that tomorrow is the decider, and if they are to make history then they will have to get these two out quickly to expose the rest of the batters. Shakib ended the day with figures of 1/28, while Miraz bowled a few more overs, going for 51 along with the opening wicket. Mustafizur Rahman bowled just one over and didn’t look to be a threat. Bangladesh will bank on the duo of  Shakib-Miraz to create a miracle in the first session of the fourth day’s play.

Tamim’s 78 bails Bangladesh out of trouble

Earlier in the day, opener Tamim Iqbal started the 3rd day’s play with a slash over backward point, which resulted in a boundary; taking Bangladesh’s lead into the 90’s with just a little less than 90 over’s of action left in the entire day. Tamim fetched two more boundaries against Pat Cummins in the next 11 balls to take the lead past 100. Nightwatchman Taijul Islam, on the other hand, was getting some vital notes on the turn and bounce from Nathan Lyon, who provided the first break through of the morning, courtesy a plumb LBW. Imrul Kayes, who came in to replace Taijul, perished in no time, and all of a sudden the hosts were restricted to 67/3.

Nightwatchman Taijul Islam, on the other hand, was getting some vital notes on the turn and bounce Nathan Lyon was able to extract. The offie also got the team the first break through of the morning, courtesy a plumb lbw. Imrul Kayes, who came in to replace Taijul, perished in no time, and all of a sudden the hosts were restricted to 67/3.

Pacer Josh Hazlewood could not be seen in action, as he walked off the field with a potential side strain. Tamim kept picking the boundaries and the skipper Mushfiqur Rahim joined him in the middle. The left-hander brought up his 2nd fifty of the Test match but soon returned back to the pavilion, courtesy a brush on the gloves off a Cummins’ delivery. Umpire Aleem Dar gave it not out but Australian skipper Steve Smith’s challenge turned into success.

From there on, it was Lyon’s game, as he almost single-handedly triggered a collapse, that saw the hosts losing five wickets for just about 50 runs. All-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who played a crucial hand of 84 in the first innings, could only manage 5. And skipper Rahim’s short affair against the visitors too came to an end pretty soon. Rahim was run out by Lyon, as Bangladesh were paused at 186/6. Australia picked up the next two wickets without letting them add a run, but a cameo by Mehidy Hasan Miraz (26 off 35) ensured that Smith’s men will need to bat very well to pocket the 1st Test.

Lyon’s share restricts Tiger’s run

Lyon finished with his tenth 5-wicket haul- 6/86, and his fellow spin mate Ashton Agar added one more wicket to his tally to make it 2/55 in 20.5 overs. Australia’s chase of 265 started on a shaky note after Miraz trapped the visitor’s top-scorer from the first innings Renshaw for 5 and then saw all-rounder Shakib get into his best act dismissing Usman Khawaja for 1. Playing at the internationals after a long gap, Khawaja must have been gutted watching the replays.

From there on, it was the Warner-Smith show. Australia will look to play out the first session without losing either of these two. The visitors still have Peter Hanscomb, Glenn Maxwell and Matthew Wade as their next three recognized batsmen, but the way they were wrapped up in the first innings, skipper Smith would like to constraint the matters into his own hands.

Brief Scores:

Bangladesh – 260 all out & 221 (Tamim Iqbal 78, Lyon 6/82)

Australia – 217 all out and 109/2 (Warner 75*, Shakib Al Hasan 1/28, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 1/51)