Australia opener David Warner hit his 20th century as his team took a 72-run lead on Wednesday by reaching 377-9 against Bangladesh on the rain-affected third day of the second Test.
Warner scored 123 runs off 234 balls, including seven fours. He scored 112 in the second innings of the Test in Dhaka in a losing cause. It was Warner’s second longest innings after his 286-ball knock against New Zealand in 2015 in a match in which he made his career best 253.
“I think from a patience point of view, definitely (it was my best),” Warner said.
“I always talk about trying to bat long periods for time in these conditions and by far that’s the hottest I’ve ever played in.
“It was quite challenging to be out there. Coming off yesterday, it was every minute that I was out there. We were out there for 100 overs the day before.”
The start of the day was delayed by heavy rain, after which Warner and Peter Handscomb resumed on 225-2.
With Warner reaching 99 without hassle, Handscomb was run out as Shakib Al Hasan made a direct throw from square leg, ending the 152-run partnership. Handscomb hit six boundaries in his 144-ball 82.
Warner waited for 16 balls before he cleared the boundary with a cover drive to reach the three-digit figure.
“It’s crucial that we try and put as many runs on the board as possible. I wouldn’t say the wicket is deteriorating, there’s a little bit of rough out there created from the bowlers,” Warner said. “The middle of the wicket is still nice and true. But as the spinners do, they’ll work what they need to do and hit those rough areas.”
Pacer Mustafizur Rahman, who turned 22 on Wednesday, dismissed Warner as Imrul Kayes completed the catch at leg gully on the third attempt.
“I tried to increase my pace and give one or two bouncers in a good area in every over. Honestly, I didn’t try the bouncer in the past. It worked well,” Rahman said. “We need to get the only wicket as early as possible in tomorrow morning. And then our batsman should play to their potential to win the match. It is possible.”
Glenn Maxwell and Hilton Cartwright surpassed Bangladesh’s first innings total 305 before the latter was dismissed by offspinner Mehidy Hasan just before tea.
Maxwell, reprieved on 10, kept the side on course until Hasan dismissed him with a delivery that spun to touch his glove before wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim dived forward to take it.
Maxwell faced 98 deliveries and scored 38, with three boundaries.
Steve O’Keefe was batting on 8 with Nathan Lyon yet to score.
Rahman (3-84) and Hasan (3-93) picked up three wickets apiece, while Al Hasan and Taijul Islam took one each.
Scoreboard:
Bangladesh 1st innings: 305 (M. Rahim 68, S. Rahman 66; N. Lyon 7-94)
Australia 1st innings: (Overnight: 225-2)
M. Renshaw c Rahim b M. Rahman 4
D. Warner c Kayes b M. Rahman 123
S. Smith b T. Islam 58
P. Handscomb run out (Al Hasan) 82
G. Maxwell c Rahim b M. Hasan 38
H. Cartwright c Sarkar b
M. Hasan 18 M. Wade lbw b M. Rahman 8
A. Agar b Al Hasan 22
P. Cummins lbw b M. Hasan 4
S. O'Keefe not out 8 N.
Lyon not out 0
Extras: (b-8 lb-3 w-1) 12
Total: (for 9 wickets, 118 overs) 377
Fall of wickets: 1-5 M. Renshaw,2-98 S. Smith,3-250 P. Handscomb,4-298 D. Warner,5-321 H. Cartwright,6-342 M. Wade,7-346 G. Maxwell,8-364 P. Cummins,9-376 A. Agar
Bowling: Mehidy Hasan 38 - 6 - 93 - 3 Mustafizur Rahman 20 - 2 - 84 - 3(w-1) Shakib Al Hasan 30 - 2 - 82 - 1 Taijul Islam 21 - 1 - 78 - 1 Nasir Hossain 6 - 2 - 14 - 0 Mominul Haque 2 - 0 - 6 - 0 Sabbir Rahman 1 - 0 - 9 - 0
Referees Umpire: Ian Gould
Umpire: Nigel Llong
TV umpire: Aleem Dar
Match referee: Jeff Crowe
