Tanzid Hasan century leaves Bangladesh 153 runs clear after day two in Darwin

Tanzid Hasan scored a maiden Test century as Bangladesh reached 351 for 6 in Darwin on day two of the first Test, leading Australia’s 198 by 153 runs. The 25-year-old left-hander made 101 in just his second Test match and was at the crease when stumps were drawn.

Bangladesh began their reply at 96 for 1 in response to Australia’s 198 all out and rebuilt after a mini-collapse of 3 for 11 when Australia took the second new ball. Tanzid and Mominul Haque added 102 for the second wicket, and Australia were forced to use eight bowlers during the day.

Steve Smith took the first three catches after tea at second slip to equal Joe Root with 218 catches, the most in Test history by a fielder. Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins each struck after tea with the new ball, with Hazlewood accounting for Mominul Haque.

Mominul, 34, made 49 and extended a run of scores reaching double figures to 17 consecutive innings, dating back to April of last year; he nicked Hazlewood and fell one run short of a half-century. The second-wicket stand with Tanzid was brought to century level when Tanzid danced down to Beau Webster and lofted his drive straight over the mid-off boundary.

Tanzid’s innings contained two reprieves: he skied a lofted drive in Josh Hazlewood’s first over that Nathan Lyon failed to complete as he ran from point towards cover, and he was later dropped by Steve Smith at slip on 62 off Lyon. On 96 he lobbed a slap towards deep mid-off off Lyon, secured his hundred with a push past Lyon in the next over and was then dismissed lofting down the ground.

All-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz was 32 not out and fast bowler Hasan Mahmud 13 not out at stumps, with Cameron Green having dropped Mehidy off the last ball of the day. Bangladesh will resume their innings on day three with a 153-run first-innings lead.