Day 1: Aust vs Bang

Bangladesh have enjoyed one of their most successful days in their short Test career thus far, playing the Australian attack to be 289/8 at stumps on day 1 at Test Cricket's latest venue, Bundaberg Rum Stadium in Cairns.

Steve Waugh again won the toss and elected to field on a wicket that was widely predicted to suit the seamers with its consistent tinges of green.

Australia named an unchanged line-up, electing to stick with embattled Martin Love while Bangladesh included Sanwar Hossain and Anwar Hossain Monir at the expense of Al Sahariar and Manjural Islam.

Hannan Sarkar and Javed Omar began in more than competent fashion, adding an excellent 47 for the first wicket before Javed feathered Brett Lee to Adam Gilchrist to be dismissed for 26.

Habibul Bashar then joined Sarkar at the crease as the pair added on from their 81 run stand in Darwin with a partnership of 108 for the second wicket - the first hundred partnership by Bangladeshi's against Australia.

Bashar, while at times unconvincing, has the ability to score ugly runs. He made 46 today while never really looking comfortable before he became Stuart MacGill's first victim.

Next over, Mohammad Ashraful completed a duck, edging an unimpressive Brett Lee to Gilchrist with the score at 156.

Soon later, Hannan's impressive innings ended when was trapped LBW by MacGill after completing 76, a career-best.

Alok Kapali's miserable form with the bat continued when he was caught at first slip by Martin Love off MacGill for 5.

Sanwar Hossain and Khaled Mashud completed 60 for the next wicket, with Sanwar providing the style and Mashud the grit.

MacGill, however, ended the partnership when he forced Sanwar into a false stroke that too his inside edge and the off-stump. He made 46.

From the very next delivery, captain Khaled Mahmud was sent packing when he was trapped from a top spinner to hand MacGill his 5th wicket.

The hat-trick was narrowly averted following a close call for the wicket of Tapash Baisya LBW, with Rudi Koertzen turning down the confident appeal.

The pair almost survived the remainder of the day before Gillespie was rewarded for a top spell of bowling by taking the edge of Khaled Mashud for a career-best 44.

Tapash (21) and Mashrafe Bin Mortaza with 7 saw the remainder of the evening out of the tourists.

For Australia Stuart MacGill took 5/77, Jason Gillespie 2/58 and Brett Lee 1/88. Glenn McGrath, Steve Waugh and Darren Lehmann went without a breakthrough.

Scores:

Bangladesh 289/8 (Hannan Sarkar 76, Habibul Bashar 46, Sanwar Hossain 46, Khaled Mashud 44, S MacGill 5/77)

Stumps Day 1.

Posted by Andre