Day 3: Aust vs Bang

Australia have ended day 3 in a commanding position in the Second Test match against Bangladesh thanks to unbeaten hundreds from Steve Waugh and Martin Love.

Australia, resuming the day at 3/351, quickly raced to 383 before Darren Lehmann was dismissed after making a fine 177 when he was caught by Mohammad Ashraful off Tapash Baisya.

Earlier in the morning Lehmann took Mashrafe Bin Mortaza hostage as he plundered 16 off one over, including 3 crashing pull shots.

The under-fire Martin Love then joined the Australian captain at the crease and the pair batted out the remainder of the morning session despite a spirited spell from captain Khaled Mahmud.

Waugh reached a telling milestone midway through the middle session, reaching 150 to become the first Test batsman to score 150 against all 9 other Test playing nations.

Meanwhile, Love slowly but surely continued on his way until his years of patience were rewarded when he reached his maiden Test hundred.

Despite the quality of the opposition, Love has forced his way into the squad through sheer amount of runs and reached his milestone with enough time to allow for the declaration.

With Waugh unbeaten on 157 and Love exactly 100, Australia declared their innings closed at 556/4.

Bangladesh began their second innings in competent fashion before losing Javed Omar LBW to Jason Gillespie for just 8.

As has become the norm throughout the series for the Tigers, Hannan Sarkar and Habibul Bashar put together a partnership of 75 before Sarkar was dismissed for 55.

He was snared in the safe pouch of Matthew Hayden, handing Stuart MacGill his 6th wicket of the match and first of the innings.

Sooner later, Ashraful bagged a pair as MacGill had him trapped in front, LBW to leave the visitors at 3/90.

Habibul Bashar became the final wicket of the day when the disappointing Brett Lee dismissed the tourists most distinguished batsman after making 25.

For the Australians, MacGill has snared 2/27 and Jason Gillespie and Brett Lee have taken 1 a piece.

Scores:

Bangladesh 295 (Hannan Sarkar 76, S MacGill 5/77)

Australia 556/4 (D Lehmann 177, S Waugh 157*, M Love 100*)

Bangladesh 105/4 (Sarkar 55)

Stumps Day 3.

Posted by Andre