Shoriful shines with record figures, but Australia take solid 146-run lead

Pacer Shoriful Islam ended with the best bowling figures by a Bangladeshi in an away Test, but Australia managed to take a sizeable 146-run first-innings lead on Day 2 of their second and final Test at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay today.

It took the Tigers almost an hour to bundle out the Aussies for 210 in 52.3 overs, having resumed on 165 for eight in 40 overs, with the hosts’ last recognised batter, Cameron Green, unbeaten on 51 alongside tailender Nathan Lyon, who was not out on 10.

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Australia went unscathed through the first 43 deliveries of the day, playing with ease. But just when the hosts started to look comfortable, Shoriful dismissed Green with a scintillating inswinging yorker that struck the right-hander on the toe and knocked him off his feet.

The on-field umpire initially did not respond to the Tigers’ appeal, but a DRS review by Bangladesh showed there was no bat involved and that the ball would have gone on to hit the middle stump. Green walked back after scoring a team-high 67 off 105 balls, ending a 38-run ninth-wicket stand with Lyon.

Shoriful, who had taken six wickets on Day 1 to already record his career-best bowling figures in Tests, now also has the best figures by a Bangladesh quick in the format. The left-arm quick’s seven for 48 bettered Shahadat Hossain’s six for 27 against South Africa in Mirpur in 2008.

It is also now the best figures by any Bangladeshi bowler in an away Test, surpassing the seven for 138 recorded by left-arm spinner Taijul Islam earlier this year against Zimbabwe in Harare.

Australia added some crucial runs for the final wicket, with Lyon and Josh Hazlewood combining for a 24-run stand. The partnership ended when Hazlewood tried to slog-sweep Taijul, only to sky one straight into the hands of Shadman Islam inside the circle.

Hazlewood made six off 18 deliveries, while Lyon remained unbeaten on 32 off 62 deliveries.