Thanks for the comments guys, hopefully in the future more than one person who comments will read the whole update. Many thanks age_of_the_fall, much appreciated.
Should update later today as have been surprisingly busy this week.
The first day of the Second Test of the year between Australia and Bangladesh started today, 16th. They are still at opposite sides of the Test rankings but the result of this match could change the difference. The first match between these two sides was an upset which saw Bangladesh win quite comfortably. No-one saw that coming, yet despite this Australia are clear favourites for the Second Test. Australia won the toss and elected to bat yesterday which meant Australia would bat first.
Hayden and Hussey both made their way out to the crease to face the opening pair of Hossain and Kabir. A slow start to the Australian innings soon saw the first casualty of the day. Matthew Hayden was a poor performer in the First Test match and did the same in this match, as he could only make 20 from 52 balls in this match. Hossain bowled a normal ball on the offside which Hayden swung at and edged to Islam. A simple wicket for Bangladesh to mark a good start. Ricky Ponting, the captain, was now in to try and steady the ship which was currently steering at a lowly 35/1.
M Hayden - c Islam b Hossain - 20(52)
With Ricky Ponting into the attack, it also saw the bowling attack change to all spin. Manjural Islam at one end and Arafat Sunny at the other. Before Sunny came into the attack though, Kabir had bowled his ninth over and had unfortunately injured himself at the end of his over. This means he would be out for the rest of the match at least, and would not bat nor ball. This is a major problem for Bangladesh as they have no other seamer, including the batsmen. Sunny's first over made things seem a little better for Bangladesh though as Michael Hussey soon went. The second opener too fall was caught and bowled by Sunny, beating Hayden's score by only 1 run. Phil Jaques was now in and Australia had had a very poor start to their innings. 51/2 and the match was in the balance.
M Hussey - c & b Sunny - 21(50)
Australia started scoring boundaries off Islam's bowling before a scare came. Islam bowled a full delivery which Ponting missed completely, as the crowd and the players saw the ball fly just over the bails. Bangladesh didn't have to wait much longer to get their third wicket though. Arafat Sunny picked up his second wicket in his fifth over, getting Phil Jaques who didn't get going at all. The ball before the wicket, Phil Jaques had been lucky not to get out to a lbw appeal but one ball later and he was clean bowled. A very disappointing score from Jaques, which means Langer comes into play with only 15 minutes to go till lunch. 78/3.
P Jaques - b Sunny - 8(29)
The spin attack from Bangladesh then conceded only one more run from the 5 remaining overs as Bangladesh control the entire first session. Had it not been for the injury of Fast bowler Kabir then it would of been the perfect session. Ricky Ponting is settled on 24* and if Bangladesh want a chance of getting Australia out for a small score then they will need to get out the captain. Arafat Sunny the main performer once again.
Day One Lunch Interval - Australia 79/3 Ponting 24*
Langer 1*
Sunny 2-10
Hossain 1-19
Half an hour into the second session and Bangladesh had their fourth wicket, the wicket being the one they wanted. Ricky Ponting was trying to do a brilliant cameo for Australia but could only end up getting out to Rafique. 47 runs for the captain meant he fell only 3 runs short of his half century but Australia needed him to stay in. Rafique got a ball on the leg side to spin into Ponting and it was an easy decision for the umpire. Adam Gilchrist is into the attack and will be looking to record his first good score of the year. 108/4 and Bangladesh are in control.
R Ponting - lbw Rafique - 47(80)
Two wickets in the one over! Rafique has got the fans in jubilation as Bangladesh strike again. With only two more runs added to the score, Rafique gets Gilchrist. An exciting over which saw 10 runs and two wickets was just what Bangladesh wanted. Gilchrist went for a reverse sweep shot with only his second ball but played all around it, as Rafique recorded his second wicket. 110/5 for Australia and they are in trouble. Langer and Watson will need to get a very good partnership now to get Australia out of this hole.
A Gilchrist - b Rafique - 1(2)
With the limited attack for Bangladesh of mainly spin, the batsmen seem to have settled rather easily. The runs kept coming and coming and coming as Watson and Langer battled their way through a 50* run partnership. With the partnership score on 82, the wicket fell. Justin Langer makes his third 40 odd score of the Test series as he fails to make a half century. Islam was the bowler to get the wicket as Bangladesh started to get a little uneasy. Langer edged one through to the wicket keeper and with the score on 192/6, he has helped Australia to get into a respectable position. Into the tail now for Bangladesh, could they restrict them under 250?
J Langer - c Rahim b Islam - 42(129)
With only the one over till lunch, the score only changed by a run. 114 runs for 3 wickets was better for Australia but still not good enough. A partnership between Langer and Watson improved their score massively but they needed it to keep on going. Lee, Warne and Gillespie can all bat quite well so 300 could still be on for Australia. They need to find some runs from somewhere though.
Day One Dinner Interval - Australia 194/5 Watson 41*
Lee 0*
Sunny 2-41
Rafique 2-41
Shortly after the Dinner interval and Watson had brought up his half century. So far this series he can only claim to of done well with his bowling in the first innings of the last match, getting 3-50, as he has failed in every other department. This score however will be lovely to see for the selectors and will no doubt see Shane Watson into the ODI matches. It wasn't a slow half century either.
Watson 53* off 83 balls
Bangladesh brought Hossain back into the attack and they nearly had the best ever moment. Brett Lee went to smash Hossain for a boundary but missed the ball and the ball struck him just below his chin. Despite being wounded, Lee got back up and signaled his was alright. If Lee got injured then it would definitely of made the match an interesting one. With the old ball now getting on in it's overs, none of the bowlers being effective and the runs flowing freely, Bangladesh decide to take the new ball. 233/6 off 82 overs isn't too bad for Australia considering their poor start which saw them 110/5.
Sunny bowled the first over with the new ball and was expensive before a tired and depleted Hossain came in to bowl the second over. Shane Watson blocked the first 5 balls from Hossain with the ball swinging both ways. The last ball came and as Watson went to defend again, he seemed to come forward too much and the ball caught the edge of the bat, which ended up in Islam's hands. Watson's innings had come to an end but he had put Australia on the road to a decent score. 69 was his final score, which is ironically his favourite number. Would you believe it?..
S Watson - c Islam b Hossain - 69(127)
With no seamers to bowl with the new ball, Bangladesh had to resort to spin all the time and the batsmen found this incredibly easy to play. Despite having a terrible start, Australia were now looking in complete control and didn't look like losing their position in the match anytime soon. Shane Warne and Brett Lee were batting incredibly well with Brett Lee bringing up his 50 just short of the end of the day. Australia have had a brilliant first day in the end as Kabir got injured for Bangladesh and they got to a good score, considering how their start was terrible.
Some good innings and then some lower order resistance has seen Australia's score rise higher than many thought it would. The bowling has been mediocre for Bangladesh with Sunny and Rafique being the main performers. Bangladesh only have the one seam bowler now though and that will be a big disadvantage with the new ball. Hossain will have to bowl incredibly well with a spinner to give Bangladesh the best chance they have of drawing the game.
B Lee 50* off 94 balls
End Of Day One - Australia 306/7 Lee 52*
Warne 32*
Sunny 2-65
Rafique 2-67
thats a good half century by lee against your bowlers. Bangladesh just let him slip away with that one. if your not careful warne could get there too. once again marvellous presentation and kutgw
The first day of the Second Test of the year between Australia and Bangladesh started yesterday. The day was a mixed day with Bangladesh having a fantastic start to the match but an injury to seam bowler Kabir threw their chances of winning. They are now falling further and further behind and will no doubt be looking for the draw at best. The Australian's have batted well as a team, batting against spin rather easily.
Few overs into the day and the Australian's had started not too well. They were missing many shots and putting their bat to the ball when they didn't need to, causing unnecessary edges. The half century soon came up for Shane Warne though as the 8th wicket partnership was coming up to it's 100 milestone. 50* off 82 balls is a great strike rate for a bowler with the bat and this is very good for Australia.
Warne 50* off 82 balls
With the runs coming very very slowly, only 37 runs in the first hour of the session, a wicket fell. Rafique came into the attack to replace Hossain and got a wicket third ball in his first over. Shane Warne edged another ball and this was one ball too many for Australia as they lost their 8th victim. A 8th wicket partnership of 103 is not too shabby at all for Australia and with the score on 343/8, they are in complete control.
S Warne - c Islam b Rafique - 56(103)
Gillespie was the new man in and he almost got out for a duck to Rafique, who was bowling out of his skin for his Country. The runs soon came with Islam back into the attack but with him not being very effective, Rafique came back in once more. He got the ninth wicket as well, his fourth of the match, as Brett Lee missed out on his century. 83 was the score for the tail ender with Australia chasing down the 400 mark. Rafique bowled a beautiful straight delivery which Lee had not anticipated and hit middle stump. McGrath and Gillespie will no doubt try and bring up the 400 now.
B Lee - b Rafique - 83(182)
Three lbw appeals in four overs came straight after the wicket as Australia's tail started to crumble. Bangladesh couldn't get the last wicket before the Lunch interval though and only conceded 82 runs in the entire session. With the runs coming slowly, the chance of a draw is still on for Bangladesh. If McGrath and Gillespie can last quite long without many runs coming then Bangladesh have a chance.
Day Two Lunch Interval - Australia 388/9 Gillespie 23*
McGrath 4*
Rafique 4-90
Sunny 2-88
The chances kept on coming as Australia neared their milestone of 400 runs. Arafat Sunny then came up with the goods 20 minutes into the session and got the last wicket of the innings. McGrath came down the wicket to defend a short one but the ball spun away from him and being out of his crease, he was stumped by the grateful Rahim. This wicket meant Rafique finished with 4 wickets and Sunny with 3. It was a decent performance from the Bangladesh bowlers considering the injury to Kabir but was a better performance from the Aussie players all round. The runs came from everywhere and the Australian fans will be very pleased.
G McGrath - st Rahim b Sunny - 9(28)
Change Of Innings - Australia 393 Lee 83
Watson 69
Rafique 4-91
Sunny 3-92
Omar and Saleh made their way out to the middle of the pitch to start to massive chase for Bangladesh. Three balls into their innings and they were already one wicket down. Glenn McGrath got Javed Omar out for a 3 ball duck as Bangladesh's luck was getting worse. Omar edged an out swinging bowl straight into the hand of Jaques, who doesn't drop many. Habibul Bashar in, who would have to make a brilliant captains knock. Bangladesh are in real trouble.
J Omar - c Jaques b McGrath - 0(3)
Still in the first over and Bangladesh were two down. Habibul Bashar did even worse than opener Javed Omar as he got a two ball duck. Bashar anticipated a out swinging bowl, like the one that got Omar out, but didn't expect a leg cutter from McGrath, which he played all around. 0/2 and with two of their best performers gone, Bangladesh are in real horse manure.
H Bashar - b McGrath - 0(2)
Naeem Islam came in to face the last ball of the over and thankfully didn't get out and scored some runs. 3/2 off the first over isn't what Bangladesh would of hoped for by any means. Gillespie only managing one over before being swapped with Brett Lee saw a strange tactic. It seemed to work though as Bangladesh lost their third wicket, for a mere four runs. Saleh got a two ball duck in Lee's first over as he was beaten entirely by the pace and nicked one through to Adam Gilchrist behind the stumps. Mohammad Ashraful has a point to prove to coach Sir Ian Botham after being left out of the first match, so will have to help Bangladesh get onto the straight and narrow now. They certainly need runs from somewhere.
R Saleh - c Gilchrist b Lee - 0(2)
Lee's first over was quite exciting. After the early wicket in the over, Ashraful proceeded to score two boundaries to take Bangladesh into double figures. It wasn't practical as it was incredibly risky but showed that Bangladesh were not going to be intimidated. Islam and Ashraful kept the runs flowing as with only an hour of the session left, they were 28/3. This partnership would prove to be vital whether it was a short or long one. Ashraful was starting to look like a player who was hitting without thinking and was soon getting a thick edge onto some fours. Despite this, he was not the next man to get out as the partnership soon came to a sudden stop.
Naeem Islam, who was Bangladesh's breath of fresh air and immaculate young performer in the First Test, got out for 12 runs off 26 balls to Australian legend McGrath. "Howzat?!" was the call as Islam was given out unfairly to a straight delivery which hit the bat first before going on to hit the pads. The umpire seemed to be the only person in the ground, bar the Australian players, to not notice this and gave him out. Bangladesh's luck is getting worse by the minute. 36/4 is better but they will need so much more to not follow on, which seems an inevitable course of time now.
N Islam - lbw McGrath - 12(26)
Manjural Islam in. Manjural Islam out. 3 runs was all that the number 6 could muster as Bangladesh's problems go from bad to worse. Gillespie gets on the act to record his first wicket of the match with Bangladesh now on 43/5. Rahim is the last batsman in before it is into the tail. Australia could record a truly massive win here against Bangladesh.
M Islam - b Gillespie - 3(12)
Ashraful and Rahim brought up the 50 soon after Islam went, but on the other side of 50 runs, Rahim got out. With the score cemented on 54, Rahim plays all around a straight bowl in Watson's first over and loses his wicket through lbw. The Australian seamers are doing a brilliant job and in less than 15 overs, they have already managed to get 6 wickets. Bangladesh are having a meltdown.
M Rahim - lbw Watson - 5(7)
Arafat Sunny comes in and after only 17 balls, he is already joint second top scorer. 12* off 17 balls is a great start to his innings although Bangladesh don't really need to bat so quick. Shane Warne was now in the attack but remarkably Australia couldn't get a wicket in the last 8 overs of the session, despite getting 6 in the first 15 overs. Mohammad Ashraful has given Sir Ian Botham alot to think about as he closes in on his half century was Arafat Sunny carried no his batting cameo, batting better than the rest of the batsmen.
Day Two Dinner Interval - Bangladesh 76/6(trail by 317 runs) Ashraful 43*
Sunny 12*
McGrath 3-25
Watson 1-2
1 ball into the last session of the day and Bangladesh lost their seventh wicket. Thankfully for them it was bowler Arafat Sunny who was on his way back to the pavilion. McGrath picked up his fourth wicket of the day as he clean bowled Sunny in easy fashion. 76/7 means that Bangladesh need 117 runs to avoid the follow on. That is never going to happen, I'm sure you will agree.
A Sunny - b McGrath - 12(31)
8 wickets down, Rafique gone. With Ashraful 1 run away from his half century, Mohammad Rafique has become McGrath's fifth victim. He somewhat missed a bowl from McGrath that was going wider and wider, yet the umpire decided it was a snick through to the keeper. This is not the first bad decision from the umpire. Hossain is the last batsman to come in as Kabir is injured and cannot bat.
M Rafique - c Gilchrist b McGrath - 2(12)
Mohammad Ashraful, in his first Test match back, has finally brought up his half century. 62 balls is all it took for the very aggressive batsman to reach his 50 and he has been the only batsman to really impress in this match. He is the new blood and has given Sir Ian Botham exactly what he wanted. It won't be enough, but is at least one positive note from the innings for Bangladesh.
Ashraful 50* off 62 balls
Bangladesh managed to bring up their 100 runs which meant they only needed 93 runs to avoid the follow on... Ashraful was batting beautifully and was batting incredibly fast. He scored consecutive boundaries off McGrath and made it look like child's play. The partnership was surprisingly growing and growing with Hossain easily passing Sunny's score to become the second best batsman of the innings. They surely couldn't get enough runs to avoid the follow on?
The 50 partnership soon came up as Bangladesh were having one last gasp of batting brilliance. 50 runs to avoid the follow on, they're getting closer and closer. The runs still came even though the Bangladeshi batsmen were being told to slow down by their counterparts on the balcony. Ashraful was closing down on his century now and on his debut of the season it would be very good to see for all concerned. The century is up. The innings of Ashraful can now be said to be one of the all time greats for Bangladesh. He has scored very well and has scored very quickly, all of which was not expected. Bangladesh could now still avoid the follow on.
Ashraful 100* off 129 balls
The 100 run partnership was up soon for Bangladesh as the tail end seemed to bat twice as well, maybe three times as well, as the batsmen. 1 run to avoid the follow on. 1 over left till the end of the day. 1 wicket till the end of the innings. Epic stuff by both teams. He's gone! He's gone! Hossain has gone... oh wait no he hasn't! First ball of the last over of the day has seen Hossain get bowled off a no ball. Thankfully for Bangladesh they scored two runs later on in the over and have somehow avoided the follow on. They have somehow come back from a terrible position to be in a position to draw the match.
The day was very poor and dire to start with for Bangladesh but as the day went on they seemed to pull together and the last session saw this the most. 118 runs for 2 wickets in the last session for a tail is incredibly brilliant for a side that has seen the batting department fall in every place bar one. That one place being the star Mohammad Ashraful. The partnership from Ashraful and Hossain has been one of the best ever for the last wicket. Can they continue this tomorrow?
End Of Day Two - Bangladesh 194/8(trail by 199 runs) Ashraful 113*
Hossain 45*
McGrath 5-56
Watson 14
Poor batting by the Bagladesh team One centurion and just two other players in the tens and rest in single digit. Really poor need to ball well and control the damage now.
ahhh wat has happened they played so well to bowl Australia out for less than 400. Bangladesh are gonna have to bowl well to restrict Australia. The good thing is they avoid the follow on. kutgw mate
Two days have passed in the second decisive Test and Australia are very much in command. Bangladesh have had incredibly poor luck but have gone past the follow on stage thanks to a brilliant 110* last wicket partnership. Their luck could be getting better as well with rain expected in the first two sessions. The draw is still on for them. McGrath was the main Australian bowler yesterday and will no doubt play a big part in the match to come.
The players made their way out an hour late after rain delayed the start. This meant the first session would only be an hour long, great news for the Bangladeshi players. The 200 was brought up shortly into the over and the runs carried on coming, surprisingly. Hossain then brought up his first ever Test half Century, his second ever in his career. He has supported Ashraful incredibly well, better than most would of expected. If he can support him until lunch then the draw is definitely on the cards for Bangladesh, meaning a famous series win is in the offing.
Hossain 50* off 107 balls
The runs were still coming quite freely, more freely than possibly wanted, but the wicket was still intact. They were only 175 runs behind with half an hour to go. Although Australia couldn't manage to get a wicket thus far, they had many chances. Hossain was the main batsman who was nearly giving away his wicket as many lbw appeals went his way. The 150 run partnership soon came up as many spectators looked on in awe. The session was soon over, and it was definitely in Bangladesh's favour. They had survived half the session and we definitely on course to get a famous draw.
52 runs is all they managed in an hours play but that isn't bad at all and they did what they wanted to do. Not lose a wicket. Very light rain was starting to occur towards the end of the session and with many dark clouds looming above the cricket pitch, I wouldn't be surprised if there was another delay due to rain. Bangladesh will no doubt be hoping that their is a rain delay.
Day Three Lunch Interval - Bangladesh 246/8(trail by 147 runs) Ashraful 145*
Hossain 64*
McGrath 5-78
Watson 1-4
During the lunch interval, there was rain as expected. The rain continued to pour during the first half of the session and only just dried up with 45 minutes of the session left. Lady Luck was turning to Bangladesh now, with the delays helping them on their destination to a draw. Boundary from Ashraful, he now requires only one run for his 150. 5 balls later and he nearly threw it away as a bowl from Warne generated so much spin that Ashraful had no chance and was lucky not to get out.
17 runs off one over was enough to bring up Ashraful's 150 and the teams 250. The pair had now put on 182* together and were setting Bangladesh up very well. Ashraful, however, was playing a mind blowing innings that won't be forgotten for a long time. An individual 150 is a brilliant achievement at International stage and against Australia would make it ever sweeter. Add the match situation to that, and you have a miraculous innings. Have a beer son.
Ashraful 150* off 194 balls
Runs later and Ashraful had bypassed his old highest score of 158 and had set a new individual high score for Bangladesh. The applause was massive with every fan in the stadium standing up. An innings to remember. Then when everyone was on a high, the Bangladeshis came back to reality. Hossain had just got his three quarters of a century when he got out, ending Bangladesh's innings there and then.
McGrath the bowler to get the wicket, his sixth, as Hossain gets bowled for 75. The bowler played extremely well to get his own individual high score and batted supremely well with Ashraful. Alas, it was too much for him in the end. 277 was the final score for Bangladesh as they managed to regain their composure and set up a decent score. 116 runs behind now for the Bangladeshi's and despite looking for a draw, victory isn't out of the equation. It's going to be epic.
H Hossain - b McGrath - 75(188)
Change of Innings - Bangladesh 277(trail by 116 runs) Ashraful 164*
Hossain 75
McGrath 6-100
Watson 1-4
The Australian's come out to face one over before the Dinner interval. The one over is bowled by Hossain who concedes only one run, on his last ball. The session was great for Bangladesh as the rain came and went and they lasted most of the session before losing their wicket. Two days and One session till the end of the match for two innings, so a draw is definitely possible for them. They're going to have to bowl well without their seamer, Kabir, though. Not impossible.
Day Three Dinner Interval - Australia 1/0 (lead by 117 runs) Hussey 1*
Hayden 0*
A slow start to the innings for Bangladesh is nearly joy filled when Matthew Hayden misses a straight bowl from Hossain, only for the ball to go over his stumps. Hossain gets a wicket a few overs later, albeit the other opener. A dream start for Bangladesh as in the 15th over of the match, they reduce Australia to 30/1. Michael Hussey gets bowled comprehensively by Hossain for a mere 17 runs, which is not what Australia would of wanted. If Bangladesh can get their spinners to bowl well then they have a chance in the match.
M Hussey - b Hossain - 17(43)
Two down! Ricky Ponting, attempting to lead by example, has given away his wicket after only facing 5 balls. Rafique was the bowler to get the important wicket as Australia start to crumble under the pressure of having to score quickly, trying to win the match. Islam gets the easy catch to dismiss the decorated batsman but thanks to that wicket, Bangladesh could be in control. The more wickets Australia lose today, the more chance that their will be a result to this match. It's going to be interesting.
R Ponting - c Islam b Rafique - 6(5)
Bangladesh were almost in heaven, or as most of them are Muslims they were almost in Paradise, as Arafat Sunny so almost gets Matthew Hayden. A turn of pace from a slow bowl some how came about, taking all by surprise, as Hayden edges through to the keeper who also must of been surprised, as he dropped it! Rahim can't be dropping chances like these. 21 was all Hayden was on and if Bangladesh could of got a third wicket, then they would be in a much stronger position.
Saying that, in Sunny's next over, Hayden was gone. The exact same bowl that nearly got Hayden out last time was done yet again, going down the leg side only for it to spin at the last minute and build a surging pace, but resulted in a wicket this time. Instead of edging it through to Rahim behind the wickets, he edges it off his legs and straight into the hands of stand in opener Saleh. 28 runs was all he could muster, meaning he couldn't punish Bangladesh for their earlier dropped catch. 9 overs till the end of the day and Bangladesh are on their way back into the match. 54/3.
M Hayden - c Saleh b Sunny - 28(88)
Some economical bowling in the last few overs of the day, ends a quite remarkable day for Bangladesh. They scored many runs in their last partnership and have certainly scared Australia out of their wits. Not only have they posted a very good score after being on only 84 with one wicket left, they have picked up three magnificent wickets. Their have been records broken and individual milestones passed as Bangladesh continue to show that they are worthy of their Test status.
Sir Ian Botham has certainly got them playing for each other. A draw would be a fantastic result and give them the immaculate series win of 1-0, but at this rate they could win the match and whitewash the Australians. Unheard of for definite, but like I have said, Bangladesh in this form are as unpredictable as ever. Day Four and Five are definitely going to be a showcase of brilliance from both teams, no doubt. We are in for a treat.
End Of Day Three - Australia 69/3 (lead by 185 runs) Langer 9*
Jaques 7*
Sunny 1-19
Rafique 1-19
This is getting tougher and tougher for the Bangla side. Aussies have a good lead and they may declare when the lead reaches 400. Bangla need some quick wickets now, maybe they get rid of Langer and Gilly soon as they are a headache in ICC.
Yeah very true, we still need some quick wickets. Cheers for the comment, much appreciated, mate.
Oh and the first post is now up to date with all the days plays, media releases etc. to make easy viewing if you wish to catch up with the story or wish to visit a previous update.
Wow, what an innings by Ashraful, can't believe he got Bangladesh's highest ever Test score in a situation like that! Great support from Hossain. What an innings and a thrilling last wicket partnership! Real shame Kabir wasn't fit. Not sure how many runs he could have put on but might have been able to show some fight and stay in while Ashraful scored some more.
Great update, shows you don't need pictures to have class presentation. When I saw the monster update I wasn't sure how long it would take, but I got right into it and really enjoyed that. kiu!
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