2nd Test, Day 3: Despite Warner’s ton, advantage Bangladesh

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David Warner scored his 20th Test ton today. Image Source: ICC

Internet Desk: Australia failed to capitalize on the brilliant century of their opener David Warner, as the Bangladeshi bowlers pulled the hosts back on track at the end of Day 3 of the second Test in Chittagong.

Earlier in the day both the teams were forced to remain inside the dressing room as a monsoonal thunderstorms washed away the entire morning session. In the second session Warner reached to his 20th as well as slowest Test century to give the Aussies a 72-run first innings lead at stumps with a wicket in hand.

But Australia squandered the chance to seize a greater advantage in their push for a series-levelling victory, losing 6-78 to finish the day on 9-377 when bad light ended play. Stephen O’Keefe (8*) and Nathan Lyon (O*) were the not out batsmen at the close.

Left-arm quick Mustafizur Rahman (3-84 from 20 overs), on his 22nd birthday, and teenage spinner Mehedi Hasan (3-93 from 38 overs) led the way for the hosts on another engrossing day at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.

Having battled through exhaustion in crippling tropical heat on Tuesday, Peter Handscomb (82) fell short of a worthy Test century when he was run out backing up as he tried desperately to help Warner move from 99 to triple figures.

While both teams began their warm-ups on Wednesday morning, loud thunder and heavy rain kept players indoors for the entire first session before the showers eased in the early afternoon.

The delay saw 33 overs lost in total but as the clouds cleared, Warner (resuming on 88) and Handscomb (69) walked back out to the middle with Australia holding all the cards at 2-225.

While Handscomb’s knock will no doubt go down in white-floppy folklore following his day-two efforts, it was perhaps fitting that his stint was ended in the selfless if miscalculated pursuit of a teammate’s hundred.

With Warner one shy of the milestone and the field brought in tight to prevent the all-important single, Handscomb took off just one step too far before turning to try and make his ground. But Shakib Al Hasan found him just short at the non-striker’s end with a brilliant direct hit from mid-wicket, ending a 152-run partnership.

But a moment of heartbreak soon gave way to an outpouring of elation as Warner pierced the field for his fifth boundary after he’d spent 15 balls on 99. The left-hander roared with delight and gave his two-Test old Baggy Green (he left his original in Sydney) a kiss as he stood triumphant in front of Australia’s change-rooms.

His departure for 123 ten overs later began the Aussie collapse as Mustafizur had the left-hander guiding a short ball straight to a juggling Imrul Kayes at leg gully, who held a smart catch.

Upon Warner’s dismissal, the bowler patted his Indian Premier League captain on the back as a mark of respect for a terrific knock, with the pair forever linked having played together at 2016 IPL champions Sunrisers Hyderabad.