Tanzid Hasan's maiden century puts Bangladesh in command against Australia in Darwin
Bangladesh opener Tanzid Hasan scored a maiden Test century in just his second match, helping his side to 351 for 6 at stumps on day two of the first Test against Australia in Darwin — a lead of 153 runs (The Guardian).
The 25-year-old left-hander from Bangladesh reached 101 before falling to off-spinner Nathan Lyon, the dismissal coming only after Steve Smith had put him down at slip off the same bowler on 62 (The Guardian; Cricket Australia).
Tanzid built his innings through partnerships. He added 102 for the second wicket with Mominul Haque, who fell one short of fifty on 49. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto then scored 84 off 126 balls to keep the momentum going as Bangladesh turned a promising start into a commanding position (The Guardian).
The day began with Bangladesh already well placed. They had reached 96 for 1 overnight on day one, having bowled Australia out for 198 — Australia's lowest Test innings against Bangladesh and the lowest total Bangladesh have ever conceded to Australia (Reuters). Seamer Hasan Mahmud was the destroyer, taking 6 for 55.
Tanzid brought up his fifty before lunch as Bangladesh moved to 181 for 2, then reached three figures by tea with the score on 286 for 3 (Reuters; Reuters).
Australia's bowlers toiled. Pat Cummins used eight different bowlers across the innings, a sign of how little the ball was cooperating and how deep the captain had to dig for a breakthrough (The Guardian). The second new ball — available after 80 overs, when the fielding side can take a fresher, harder ball — finally brought reward after tea. Hazlewood, Starc and Cummins each struck.
Steve Smith had a hand in all three post-tea wickets, taking three catches at second slip to equal Joe Root on 218 Test catches, the most by any fielder in the format's history (The Guardian).
Bangladesh still finished the day in front. Mehidy Hasan Miraz (32 not out) and nightwatchman Hasan Mahmud (13 not out) saw them to stumps, though not before Cameron Green dropped Mehidy off the last ball of the day — a reprieve that could matter on day three (The Guardian).
This match is the first Test played in Darwin for 22 years, hosted at Marrara Stadium as part of the NRMA Insurance Test series (Cricket Australia). For Bangladesh, who have historically struggled in Australian conditions, the position they have built is a significant one. A first-innings lead of 153 with four wickets still in hand gives them control of the match heading into day three.
For Australia, the task is straightforward and steep: bat long, bat well, and hope the Darwin pitch — which has already offered plenty to the seamers — does not get worse.
