Bangladesh v Australia, 2nd Test, Day 2 - 5 Talking points

After the honours were shared on the first day, Australia bolstered their command in the second Test with an impressive batting display on day 2. David Warner once again led the attack for the Aussies but this time around, it wasn’t a typical Warner innings. He wasn’t swashbuckling and played a quintessential Test knock, batting with a strike rate tad over 50.

Things began on a shaky and unenviable note for the Bangladeshi contingent, as they lost wickets in quick succession thanks to a wonderful rendition from Nathan Lyon. The off-break bowler picked up seven wickets in the innings and after he had managed to rattle the top 4 on day 1. Bangladesh was bowled out for 305, a good 30-40 runs short of what they would’ve liked.

After losing Matt Renshaw very early in the innings, Warner and skipper Steve Smith stuck in and registered a 93-run stand for the 2nd wicket. Smith brought up yet another half-century in the process and Warner too got to his fifty, which happened to be the fourth slowest of his career.

After Smith fell prey to Taijul, Handscomb and Warner took complete control of the game and they have eyes set on a massive total. With Handscomb also reaching his fifty, Australia finished day 2 at 225/2.

1. An unconventional Warner knock

David Warner, often known for hammering the ball right from the outset, was in a different mode today. He rather played according to the situation instead of being himself and that paid off big time for the southpaw. The ball was gripping very well and only a player with a resolute defensive technique would’ve managed to bat as well as he did on this track.

He reached the 50-mark after facing 98 balls and after that continued batting the same way. It wasn’t really entertaining but was fruitful considering how well their top order has managed to hang on. Warner finished at 88 off 170 balls at stumps and a hard-fought hundred is something which he would not want to miss out on.

2. Lyon picks seven in the innings

After registering five on the first day, Nathan Lyon picked up another couple of wickets on day 2 to add to his impressive tally of wickets in the subcontinent. He now has 16 wickets in his previous three innings and is becoming quite a force to reckon with on turning tracks. The Australian team has struggled for a long time in Asia, but a weapon like Lyon can be a game changer.

He first sent the big fish Mushfiqur Rahim back to the pavilion, which made the difference between Bangladesh getting a 350+ score and what the 305 runs they ended up with. By picking Taijul Islam’s wicket, he got his seventh scalp of the innings and he walked off with a huge round from his mates on the ground and in the dressing room.

3. Warner survives a scare twice!

On a day when David Warner was stubborn to not give his wicket away, there was one moment when Taijul Islam got the better of Warner and induced an edge. The ball rushed towards Mominul Haq at short leg, but it ricocheted off his hands on to the ground. It was a tough chance, but can’t be considered a half chance as we’ve seen such catches being taken previously.

The next one was an all the more easy chance, which went for begging thanks to the skipper Mushfiqur. Warner advanced off Mehidy Hasan and missed the ball completely. He was tricked by the lack of bounce and he fluffed an easy chance to send Warner back to the pavilion. It will be interesting to see how much will it cost them on day 3.

4. Handscomb-Warner driving the game away from the hosts

There were smiles all around Chittagong when Taijul castled Smith’s timber. But since that, they had absolutely nothing to cheer about. An abysmal effort on the field didn’t compliment the decent effort from the bowlers and a world class unit like Australia will not let go of such an opportunity.

Peter Handscomb and Warner took the onus upon themselves to strike hard on the hosts and the duo added 127 for the third wicket and this demoralised the whole Bangladesh team, who looked dejected. If the duo can add another 50 runs together and condense the trail, the game will be in Australia’s control and they can prevent a humiliating series defeat.

5. Bangla spinners ineffective

After managing to get the better of the Aussie batters in the first Test, Bangladeshi spinners failed to have any impact on the game and that seems to have an adverse effect on the entire team. The team’s morale is completely down and the batsmen are getting along sensibly.

It will be interesting to see how Shakib Al Hasan and the rest of the spinners turn things around on day 3, as their performance will decide if they’ll register a series win or not. Mehidy Hasan and Taijul bowled economically, but wickets never befell and the scoreboard just kept drifting away from their control. considering a fact that they’re heavily reliant on their spinners to get the job done, a lot will depend on them when the next day begins.