Advertisement

Bullish Warner drags Australia back into contention

David Warner has the chance to lead Australia to a history-defying comeback victory over Bangladesh after banishing his subcontinent demons in the first Test in Dhaka.

Aug 30, 2017, updated Aug 30, 2017
Steve Smith and David Warner at the end of play in Dhaka yesterday. Photo: A.M. Ahad / AP

Steve Smith and David Warner at the end of play in Dhaka yesterday. Photo: A.M. Ahad / AP

Set an imposing 265 to win on a deteriorating pitch, Warner scored an unbeaten 75 to shift the momentum of the match and lift the visitors to 2-109 at stumps on day three.

Skipper Steve Smith, who survived a tight stumping decision from his first ball, reached 25 not out, leaving Australia needing a further 156 runs to pull off an unlikely triumph.

If Australia succeed in hunting down their target, it will be their second-highest fourth-innings run chase in Asia.

Not since Ricky Ponting guided his team to a target of 307 against Bangladesh in nearby Fatullah in 2006 has Australia scaled such heights in the region.

If the Australians can survive the first hour today, they will be in a strong position to claim victory.

But Smith and Warner would be well aware of how quickly things can turn on the subcontinent, with Bangladesh’s maiden Test victory over England last year a prime example.

Set 273 to win, England reached 0-100 before spinners Mehedi Hasan and Shakib Al Hasan ripped through their batsmen and they were bowled out for 164.

Warner’s struggles on the subcontinent have been a major headache for Australia but he dug deep on Tuesday to produce his second-highest Test score in Asia.

The vice-captain played with aggression and confidence, cracking 11 fours and a six in an innings lauded by Australian quick Pat Cummins.

“He’s such a big player for us, and you could just see it in his eye when he was out there – he was so focused,” Cummins said.

“We always say ‘be the bull’ and he looked like he was the bull out there, just focused and taking the game on.

“He got his 50 rapidly, and I think it just changes the whole momentum but also the mindset for the other batsmen who are to come in, just taking the game on.”

Both Warner and Smith were given a life by a Bangladeshi side that earlier in the day had been deserved favourites to beat Australia in a Test match for the first time.

Warner was dropped by Soumya Sarkar at first slip, while Smith was later put down by Imrul Kayes at short leg.

An Australian fightback had looked far from likely when Matt Renshaw and Usman Khawaja both fell cheaply.

Khawaja (one) continued his disastrous return to national duties, lofting an ill-judged sweep shot to Taijul Islam at deep backward square leg off Shakib’s left-arm spin.

Nathan Lyon earlier spun Australia back into contention with 6-82 as Bangladesh were bowled out for 221 shortly after tea.

-AAP

Local News Matters
Advertisement
Copyright © 2024 InDaily.
All rights reserved.