Story Bangladesh Begin Blissful Age [India In Bangladesh]

[Jaztheman]

Cheers, Bladescape, edited it.

Thanks Jack and Suren, your comments are always worth the read in full. The story can hopefully carry on for a while and I might even try to update today, despite being Christmas Day. Like I said earlier, thanks for all your comments, they are much appreciated.

 

[Jaztheman]

End Of Day Three

Bangladesh have surprisingly taken it to the Australian players. Their bowling and batting was better than normal but they still have to raise the bar even more. Their batsmen have got to try and do their best in this innings to give the bowlers some lee way in the second Australian innings. They have the spirit, but do they have the ability?

Overnight Bangladesh were 175/3 and Saleh was on 36* whilst Salah was on 0* off 1 ball. Islam is only 19 and Saleh is only 22 so they are young and could do with the experience of getting good knocks against Australia. Bangladesh started not very confident and some played and misses came at the beginning of the session. Saleh was only on 1* and edged one through the slips and nearly got out already. That is not what Bangladesh would of wanted to see.

The runs were now flowing freely but they came with the chances for the bowlers. Both of the batsmen were scoring well now after with the score past 200, got a little too confident and a wicket occurred. Saleh was the man to get out as the 22 year old edged a ball from McGrath straight to Hussey in slips, which he easily took. 16 for the youngster was a decent score after not looking too confident with the bad. Manjural Islam would now have to bat with Naeem Islam as well as he could.

R.Saleh - c Hussey b McGrath - 16(34)

Naeem Islam soon brought up his fifty shortly after Saleh had gone. He was following in captain Bashar's footsteps and with this 50 has no doubt cemented his position in the last test. With this score, Bangladesh will no doubt be proud and Sir Ian Botham will be happy that some of his batsmen are scoring.

Islam 50* off 97 balls

Unfortunately in the same over as the milestone was brought up, Manjural Islam got out. McGrath picked up his 4th victim of the match, with Hayden getting in on the action. A straight one from McGrath was edged right into the slips and all Hayden had to do was stick a hand out to catch the ball which wasn't traveling very quick at all. Rahim was in now and once the next wicket fell, Australia would be into the tail.

M.Islam - c Hayden b McGrath - 2(7)

After being overnight on 174/3 Bangladesh had had a mini collapse and lost 2 wickets for 39 runs. They had to be consistent to get anything out of the match. The runs started drying up but with only 45 minutes left till lunch, that wasn't a problem. It was a while since Australia nearly picked up a wicket and thus brought Brett Lee back into the attack. Binga nearly picked up the important wicket of Islam for 60* but it flew just over the bails. Guess what Islam did next? Hit Brett Lee for a massive six. Thatta boy! His second six of the innings.

Bangladesh were on a high and were starting to score more fluently again and getting the boundaries when the wicket of Rahim came. 16 off 33 isn't a bad score for a wicketkeeper against Australia and he had helped Bangladesh get to 253 and had a 39 run partnership with Islam which might become important. The main thing was Australia were into the tail. 253/6 and only behind Australia by 142 runs, is better than people would of thought they would do.

M.Rahim - c Hayden b Watson - 16(33)

Arafat Sunny was into the attack and somehow attack Brett Lee and was 7* off 7 balls when Australia decided to introduce the new ball. There was only 12 minutes till lunch that Bangladesh would have to survive but it would be hard. They lasted all the way until the last over and then the last ball of the session came against Sunny. Would he follow the same fashion of Bashar yesterday? No, he hit McGrath for a boundary! Sunny had somehow batted better than most of the batsmen are was scoring quicker than them all! As long as Bangladesh could get around 300 they had a chance of a draw.

Day Three Lunch Interval - Bangladesh 272/6(trail by 123 runs)
Islam 78*
Sunny 13*
McGrath 4-56
Watson 1-29

With two 19 year olds in, you wouldn't of thought that they could last long together after lunch. The time was passing and the runs weren't coming, but the longer they could push their innings than the chance of a draw was increased. Islam was on 89*, the same score as Bashar got out on, when he gave Hussey a peach of a catch which he decided to put down. Islam has been dropped twice now in his innings and was now into his nervous nineties. Could he be the first Centurion of the season for Bangladesh? Even more so could he get a century on his debut against Australia?

The answer? Well we won't find out yet, as with the score on 300 and Australia ahead by 95, and an hour into the session, Sunny was gone. Clark was back into the attack to pick up his second wicket and the tail ender played around the ball, giving himself no chance. 19 off 52 was more than was asked of him for sure. Rafique was now in and despite being an all rounder, his batting ability isn't the best.

A Sunny - lbw Clark - 19(52)

First ball and he hit Clark for four! Bangladesh supporters were cheering at any runs being score now. Then it happened. The first century of the season for Bangladesh had arrived. 19 year old Naeem Islam, in his first ever Test match, had scored a century unbeaten against the best side in the world. He had played a remarkable innings thus far and had given the Bangladesh team some hope of a result in their favour.

Islam 100* off 221 balls

Strangely enough, Bangladesh were having another good partnership. After a 47 run partnership between Sunny and Islam, they were now having a 23* partnership between Rafique and Islam. It only lasted one more run until the all rounder Rafique was out. Watson picked up his second wicket of the day as Rafique fell the same way as many people have done before him, leg before wicket. 13 off 28 was a decent score and helped in chasing the total they wanted. Hossain was now in as Bangladesh were now looking at the bottom of the barrel.

M Rafique - lbw Watson - 13(28)

Golden duck and Watson was on a hat trick. Hossain came in and didn't even last one single minute, as his leg stump was out of the ground following a ball from Watson. Watson now had 3 wickets and was about to determine whether Bangladesh would get closer to the Aussie score. Kabir was in and I wouldn't put it past him to get a duck.

H Hossain - b Watson - 0(1)

Hat trick ball... two runs! The following ball and Watson nearly got a wicket but the appeal for a catch behind was turned down. Islam was finally on strike. They lasted a few more overs before Kabir... hit a boundary! You thought I was going to say got out then didn't you? Go on admit it. So did I... Somehow, Bangladesh had lasted till the Dinner Interval and were now in a good position. Even their last wicket partnership was doing well, currently 15* but Australia only needed one more wicket.

Day Three Dinner Interval - Bangladesh 339/9(trail by 67 runs)
Islam 112*
Kabir 8*
McGrath 4-65
Watson 3-50

McGrath was still bowling and trying to get that fabulous 5fer. The 350 was soon up as Islam was batting out of his skin with the tail. Unfortunately for him and for his team, 20 minutes into the session, and his innings came to an end. Going for one too many boundaries, he hit the ball straight down Clark's throat off McGrath's bowling. That wicket gave McGrath a 5fer but the end of his innings meant that Bangladesh were only 44 runs behind. 124 for the dbutante was simply remarkable

N Islam - c Clark b McGrath - 124(278)

Change of Innings - Bangladesh 351
Islam 124
Bashar 89
McGrath 5-71
Watson 3-50

Hayden and Hussey were the opening batsmen against the Bangladesh bowling attack. Australia only had a lead off 44 runs to play with. Would Hussey made another century? The Australian batsmen had a decent start against the seamers and when Arafat Sunny came on, they attacked the 19 year old. A four with the first ball showed how aggressive they were going to be. Despite that, with Arafat's 3rd ball, he got a wicket. First innings hero Michael Hussey was out for a dire 17 after edging a straight ball by the spinner and hit it straight into Islam's hand. Like they did in the first innings, Australia lost an early wicket.

M Hussey - c Islam b Sunny - 17(24)

Ponting only managed 8 runs in the first innings before getting out to Hossain. The limelight was soon on Hayden though as he, like Hussey, got out for 17. Manjural Islam was into the attack with Sunny and in Islam's first over he got a wicket, just like Sunny did. Matthew Hayden went to hit him over the top but missed the ball and it was a tight call to make, but the ball hit his pad and would of knocked off stump marginally. The umpire made the call and decided Hayden was out.

M Hayden - lbw Islam - 17(43)

Phil Jaques was in to bat with Ponting and with not long left in the session, they would no doubt and try to bat it out. Which of course, they did. Ricky Ponting and Phil Jaques fought of the bowling from Bangladesh to take Australia through to the end of a great day for the Bangldeshi's. 70/2 was the score and a lead of 114 was a good result for Australia considering the rampage that Bangladesh were on. Australia had a terrible start to their innings but sured it up towards the end.

It was a good day for Bangladesh with the batting side of things going better than they hoped. As long as they can get a few wickets in the next session and try and make Australia bat slow then they can get a draw. If they bowl incredibly well then a win may be on the horizon. I still think Australia will win the match though.

End Of Day Three - Australia 70/2(lead by 114 runs)
Ponting 28*
Jaques 5*
Islam 1-6
Sunny 1-23

 

[Jakester1288]

Top work mate, loving it.

 

[Pakistani Army]

Australia are still in a good position with a lead of over 100. With Langer, Gilchrist and Watson to come, I think the Australians will easily get a lead over 300 which will be good enough.

Great works Jaz! Your stories have improved a lot! :hpraise

 

[Shri]

Australia might go on to get a big lead if they dont fall to the Bangla spinners on a 4th day pitch. But is the spinners bowl the aussies out tomorrow, bangladesh are in with a huge chance. Good, clean presentation btw Jaz.

 

[Amiya]

A brilliant performance by Islam. Bangladesh bowlers would have to restrict Australia under 300 if they want to have any chances. Top quality writing mate. Keep it up.

 

[treva]

Brilliant day for the Bangaldeshi's but there is a hell of a long way to go yet. Fantastic score for Islam on debut, probably Bangladesh's first ever debutante centurion. Australia are still in control, but a few early wickets and it will be a close run thing.

 

[age of the fall]

Your style of writing is fantastic. I love it. Makes each update very good to read.

Bangas doing amazing here. Bashar to get a century in the next Innings.

I agree with you in saying ICC06 is the best of the series. It beats 08.

 

[surendar]

Bangladesh should try restricting that lead below 320 which will create a great contest in this match. Fantastic style of writing and presentation, Jaz

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Bangladesh should try and get Aussies all out under the lead 350 then only Bangla have a slim chance of winning or else I feel its over with the bowling attack Aussies have. Aussies have Punter still in the middle and Langer, Watson and Gilly still to come. it gonna be difficult for the Bangla but lets see. Hope they bowl well.

Great update again Jaz. KUTGW

 

[Funknath]

Nice batting by Bangladesh. M.Islam(124). He deserves and Jaz you also deserve a . Nice update Jaz and KUTGW

 

[gutterman]

thats good batting for a un developed team. with some good bowling bangladesh should be able to restrict the lead for under 300. kutgw mate

 

[Jaztheman]

End Of Day Four

After another good day in the field for Bangladesh yesterday, they ended on a good note. Submitting a very decent score for a poor side against the best side in the world and then picked up two wickets in the Australia's second innings. There were many good performances but the main performance was that of Naeem Islam who batted incredibly well against the Australia attack to record his debut century.

Overnight Australia were 70/2 and Ponting was on 28* whilst Jaques was on 5*. A mix of experience here between the Australian captain and Jaques, who hasn't played that many Tests for Australia. Bangladesh really didn't have that good a start as Australia raced away to their 100 with Ponting bring up his 50. None of the Bangladesh bowlers had even had a chance yet as Ponting was scoring as free as can be.

Ponting 50* off 93 balls

The attack of Sunny and Islam almost paid dividends when Ponting mistimed a shot but missed the ball as well which meant there was no chance for an edge. After the spinners were doing poorly against Ponting and Jaques, who love to play seam, Kabir was brought in and got a wicket first ball. Ricky Ponting seemed to like the prospect of Kabir bowling to him and went to attack but forgot to hit the ball on his attack and his middle stump was flying in the air behind him. A great captains knock of 74 by Ponting unleashes Justin Langer in to the match.

R Ponting - b Kabir - 74(125)

Langer made 45 in the last innings and will no doubt be trying to beat that and get a half century this time around. Australia were attacking every ball put forward by Bangladesh and they could do nothing to stop them. Bashar was trying every type of bowling combination but none of them were working. Australia soon raced their way to Lunch which marked 112 runs scored for only 1 wicket in that session. Bangladesh's hopes of a result in their favour was drifting away from them.

Day Four Lunch Interval - Australia 182/3(lead by 226 runs)
Jaques 44*
Langer 25*
Kabir 1-21
Islam 1-30

Australia were battling on and the Bangladesh team were getting very very annoyed as nothing was working. Any type of ball would be sent to the boundary or would be defended without fail. Jaques then brought up his half century and with Langer not far from his either, Bangladesh were in trouble.

Jaques 50* off 112 balls

Bangladesh then got their first chance of a wicket in over an hour as Rafique's appeal for lbw against Jaques was turned down. Next over and the Bangladesh fans and players alike were celebrating a wicket. Islam had picked up his second wicket of the innings, getting Langer for lbw. Langer made 45 last time and this time he fell short of his half century yet again. 44 was another consistent score from the old timer and this meant on 220/4, with Australia in control, Gilchrist was into bat.

J Langer - lbw Islam 44 off 94 balls

Gilchrist only lasted 14 balls in the first innings, and he only lasted 14 balls in this one. Hossain was brought into the attack to deal with Gilchrist's love for psin and it seemed to work a treat as Gilchrist got out for just under a run a ball, going for 12 runs. lbw is how he got out as he went for one boundary too many. Shane Watson was in now and when he gets out they'd be into the tail. Despite being into the tail, Australia's tail is known for being decent at batting.

A Gilchrist - lbw Hossain - 12(14)

Two balls later, and in Islam's over, Jaques nearly got out. A shortish delivery from Islam seem to have Jaques confused as he went to square cut it, but missed the ball and despite many thinking he edged it, the umpire kept his finger down. Hossain came out of the attack soon after, which brought Kabir in, the man who eventually got Ponting. First ball into his over and he got a wicket. Shane Watson got more than he got in the first innings(5) but only by 4 runs. Kabir did the same ball that got Ponting out as he removed Watson's middle stump. Bangladesh were now into the bowlers with the score on 249/6 and Bangladesh could still restrict Australia to under 300.

S Watson - b Kabir - 9(12)

Bangladesh then decided to go all out spin as they rejected the offer of the new ball. This seemed to of worked as 5 overs later, Sunny got his second wicket. Brett Lee was the man to go for 3 runs as he was just mesmerized by the young spinner. 259/7 although Australia now have a lead of 300 so will still be expected to win. Bangladesh are definitely giving up without a fight though.

B Lee - lbw Sunny - 3(8)

In Sunny's next over, he removed Gillespie from the game for a golden duck. With no further runs added to the score, Gillespie went to defend a straight one from Sunny but he could only hit it up a little bit in stead of forcing it into the ground and gifted Nafees an easy chance. Clark and McGrath the only batsmen to come in now with 20 minutes till Dinner.

J Gillespie - c Nafees b Sunny - 0(1)

Rafique was brought into the attack to replace a depleted Islam as Bangladesh continued to bowl with the old ball and to bowl with two spinners. Jaques nearly got out with only two overs till Dinner as Sunny played it round his legs and everyone thought he had edged it through to the keeper, apart from the umpire which meant he stayed in on 81*. In the last over before Dinner though, Sunny got another wicket. Sunny picked up his fourth victim Clark for only two runs. Bangladesh had triggered a collapse in the Australian lineup and could restrict Australia to under 300 here with ease.

S Clark - c Islam b Sunny - 2(17)

Day Four Dinner Interval - Australia 269/9(lead by 313 runs)
Jaques 85*
McGrath 0*
Sunny 4-80
Kabir 2-32

A seriously awesome performance from Bangladesh in that session picking up 6 wickets for 87 runs! They couldn't really of asked for more. Kabir was brought into the attack to bowl with Sunny in their search for that last wicket. Bangladesh still decided to use the old ball despite being 94 overs old! Kabir did well to nearly get Jaques out but the Umpire decided that the sound made was from the bat and not from the pads.

It didn't matter much though as in the next over, Arafat Sunny picked up the wicket of McGrath to record his first ever International 5fer. Rahim got an easy catch as McGrath got a four ball duck meaning Australia got all out for 273. Jaques ended the innings on 89* as he was only just shorrt of his century. A good bowling performance from the Bangladeshi bowlers as Australia went from 220/3 to 273 all out. Losing their last 7 wickets for 53 runs! Bangladesh haven't really got a chance of a draw with a day and a session left but it could be possible.

G McGrath - c Rahim b Sunny - 0(4)

Change Of Innings - Australia 273(lead by 317 runs)
Jaques 89*
Ponting 74
Sunny 5-80
Kabir 2-36

318 was the target set for Bangladesh and they made it last time so they might be able to make it this time. McGrath nearly got Javed Omar out for 0 in the first over but the lbw appeal was turned down, thankfully for the Bangladesh supporters. He made 41 last time so will be trying to eye his 50 this time. Twenty year old Nafees only made two runs in the last innings so he could hardly do any worse and had a good start to the innings.

With one hour till the end of the session, Australia recorded their first wicket. Nafees went for 17 runs, which although was better than his first innings wasn't really what Bangladesh needed. Brett Lee got the wicket as he removed two of Nafees' stumps, somehow. Bangladesh now needed to get back into the game with some good partnerships

S Nafees - b Lee - 17(35)

Habibul Bashar was in and the first innings hero would have to do the same again. Bangladesh's poor start got even worse as Javed Omar soon went which meant both the openers were gone. 9 runs was all he could muster after batting well in the first innings. Much more was expected but he got out to a full toss from Gillespie which he missed, knocking his bails off. Naeem Islam was now in to bat with Bashar as our two best batsmen were at the crease.

J Omar - b Gillespie - 9(37)

Bashar and Islam had their work cut out. They soon brought up the 50 for Bangladesh but they still needed 268 runs to win. They rotated the strike as well as they did in their first innings, which led to a 76 run partnership. Then the last over of the day game. At the end of day Two, Bashar got out on the last ball of the day. Did he this time? Of course he didn't! Instead he hit a juicy boundary to record 8 runs from the over and to take us to the end of the day.

The day started terribly for Bangladesh as the top order of Australia seemed too strong and got many runs for the Australian team. Saying that, Bangladesh dusted themselves down and got back into the game thanks to some awesome bowling, especially from Sunny with the old ball after rejecting the new ball. That turned out to be a decision of brilliance. Bangladesh won this day finishing on 78/2 with their best two batsmen at the crease.

End Of Day Four - Bangladesh 78/2(require 240 to win)
Bashar 29*
Islam 16*
Gillespie 1-12
Lee 1-26

​

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Wow!!!Bangla can now in this match. They are in good position and great bowling by them. Sunny was great took 5 wickets(never heard him before ) Aussies in trouble for the first time in this test. Hoping Bashar to play yet another great knock. Great update Jaz

 

[gutterman]

Bangladesh definately not out of this match all they need is a good day on the last day with the bat.