2nd Test Day 2: Warner, Handscomb lead Australia’s fightback in Chittagong

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Warner and Handscomb remained not out for Australia at the end of Day 2. Image Source: Cricket Australia

Internet Desk: Steve Smith led Australian cricket team fought back well in the second Test as they reach 225 for the loss of two wickets at the end of Day 2 in Chittagong today.

Aussie skipper scored 58 before getting out to Taijul Islam. After his departure opener David Warner (88) and Peter Handscomb (69) held the innings together and added 127 runs for the third wicket. Both the basmen remained not out at the crease at the end of day’s play.

Handscomb required medical attention but after replacing some of the fluid he’d lost in the searing heat, as well as applying a few ice-packs to his head, he pushed on to reach stumps undefeated by both bowlers and the conditions.

Having delivered nearly a third of Australia’s overs on day one in conditions Lyon yesterday described as the toughest of his career, the off-spinner showed no signs of weariness when Smith turned to him early on Tuesday with Bangladesh resuming on 6-253.

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He needed just two balls to pierce Mushfiqur Rahim’s defence as the Bangladesh captain inside-edged onto his pad with the ball skipping back onto his stumps to end his knock of 68.

Capable No.8 Nasir Hossain took advantage of a couple of rare looseners from Pat Cummins, cracking 10 off an over from the lone quick whose figures of 0-46 off 22 overs failed to reflect his sterling effort in punishing humidity.

Lyon, though, was again the most probing member of the attack, troubling Bangladesh’s lower order with turn and drift.

Wicket-keeper Matthew Wade, who Australia had considered dropping in the lead-in to this match, continued his clean work behind the stumps when he snaffled a sharp chance off Agar to remove Nasir for 45.

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It sparked a collapse of 3-12 as David Warner ran Mehedi out with a direct hit after an athletic gather and throw running towards the third-man boundary.

And while Taijul Islam ticked the score over 300 with a towering six over mid-wicket off Glenn Maxwell, Lyon finished the innings when Smith took a smart catch to his right at slip to remove Taijul.

With both teams fielding three spinners (four, if allrounders Nasir and Maxwell are included), it was something of a surprise when Bangladesh quick Mustafizur Rahman struck before lunch.

With legs still fresh despite his 166-ball knock across the first two days, Mushfiqur’s leap for a spectacular one-handed catch down the leg-side sent Matthew Renshaw packing for just four.