Arabic version: قرن تنزيد وتصديات سميث ترسم ملامح اختبار داروين

According to ABC News, Bangladesh opener Tanzid Hasan produced a maiden Test century on the second day against Australia in Darwin, while Steve Smith rebounded from an early missed chance with three successive catches at second slip.

Tanzid, 25 and playing only his second Test, gave Bangladesh a composed foundation against Australia’s attack. He had passed 50 when Smith was unable to hold a difficult diving chance after Tanzid edged Nathan Lyon and the ball ricocheted from Alex Carey’s elbow. Tanzid then endured a 140km/h Pat Cummins bouncer to the arm and a near-dismissal on 96 before reaching 100 with a push down the ground off Lyon.

His innings ended only a matter of balls later when he holed out to Lyon. Mitchell Starc slid to take the catch but became tangled in the Marrara Stadium turf, with his knee caught in the grass as dust and thatch came loose. Starc appeared to recover well, though the outfield had also seen Marnus Labuschagne pull out greenery.

Australia’s new-ball attack later shifted the momentum. Josh Hazlewood, Starc and Cummins each found an edge as Bangladesh fell from 3-297 to 6-308, with Smith taking all three chances. The catches, following his earlier drop, brought Smith level with Joe Root on 218 Test catches, the most by a non-wicketkeeper.

Late in the day, Starc and Bangladesh all-rounder Mehidy had a near-collision while Mehidy set off for a single. “It’s my follow through, not your follow through. Get off the wicket,” Starc said through the stump microphone. Elsewhere, Lyon used a butter knife obtained from the kitchen to clear dirt from his spikes on the boundary.