Australia v. Bangladesh - Test Series

[gobbles21]

Why not?

It doesn't matter who you score the runs against, you still need to score them. As we have seen, Langer only made 1, and the Bangers arent bowling that poorly, considering they have restricted Ponting as well. Remember his most recent form.

And anyway, when you watch the new batsman come out on channel 9, you see their stats. Highest score is there, but it doesn't say who against. So wouldn't it be good for Lehmann to have a 200 against Bangladesh, rather than his 160 against the Windies. It wouldn't matter because you don't see who he scored it off.

And just think that every other batsman good enough for test cricket plays against Bangladesh. If Lehmann is able to make his highest score against them, and others can't then that just gives him more bragging rights.

By the way JLC has gone quiet since Lehmanns found form

[Donny]

Lehmann flourishes after Bangladesh dismissed for 295
Lynn McConnell - July 26, 2003

Darren Lehmann was in rampant mood as he scored his second century in two innings against Bangladesh at Cairns today. By the close of play on day two, Australia had moved into a dominant position, with a lead of 56 and seven wickets in hand.

It was a day completely dominated by the Australians - they took only 13 balls in the morning to pick up the last two Bangladesh wickets for the addition of six runs. Justin Langer was the only batsman to miss out on runs, dismissed for just one after Javed Omar took a diving catch at point off Mashrafe Mortaza's bowling (14 for 1).

For the others, it was time to cash in, and while there were only half-centuries for Matthew Hayden (50) and Ricky Ponting (59), Lehmann and Steve Waugh poured on the agony in a superb, and unbroken, fourth-wicket partnership of 219. There have only been four higher partnerships recorded against Bangladesh for all wickets, and three of them will be in their sights tomorrow, though it's unlikely that the 429 added by South Africa's Jacques Rudolph and Boeta Dippenaar (May 2003) will be threatened.

Lehmann moved to within 56 runs of his first 1000 runs in Tests, while Waugh was chipping his way slowly, but surely, toward Allan Border's Test record of 11,174. Lehmann, who was on 51 at tea, also had the satisfaction of scoring over a hundred in the final session.

Waugh was much more controlled in his batting, allowing Lehmann to take the attack to a tiring Bangladesh side. All but Mortaza, who gained Langer's wicket and finished with 1 for 37 from his 17 overs, felt the full weight of Australian aggression. Khaled Mahmud was dealt with especially severely, conceding 53 runs from 10 overs, and while Sanwar Hossain picked up the wickets of Hayden and Ponting, they came at a cost of 87 from 20 overs.

The conditions were tailor-made for batting, and given a much faster outfield than that seen in Darwin last week, the full weight of Australia's batting superiority may be unleashed tomorrow, with Martin Love and Adam Gilchrist still cooling their heels in the pavilion. If the Bangladesh bowlers fail to strike early, they could find themselves on the receiving end of a significant deficit come tea time, with Australia set to ram home their advantage.

The Australian pace men failed to make a significant impact in the first innings, and it was Stuart MacGill, with his five-wicket haul, who did the real damage. But Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee and Jason Gillespie will most likely be in a meaner mood tomorrow, as Australia set out to wrap up the match, and series.

[Donny]

Lehmann was out for 177. His innings took only 207 balls and included 22 fours. His partnership with Waugh was exactly 250.

Waugh just completed his 32nd. Test century with a boundary. His hundred took 194 balls and he hit 16 fours.

[Donny]

The 50 partnership is up for Waugh (113 n.o.) and Love (24 n.o.) as Australia go to 4/436.

[Donny]

At lunch, Australia is on 4/445, a lead of 150.

Waugh is 120 and Love, 36.

Depending on wickets in hand, they will bat at least 3 more hours. They'd be over 300 ahead with Bangladesh trying to survive a hostile last hour.

So, if that happens, a double century is on the cards for Tugga.

[Donny]

100 partnership up for Waugh and Love and a half ton for Love (53).

The score is 4/487.

[Donny]

Congratulations ! 150 up for Steve Waugh.

Love is on 71 and the score is 4/521.

[HAL]

Thank you very much, you are very considerate.

[Donny]

Australia declared at 4/556. From the last report, Love scored 29 and Waugh, 6.

Love's century came from 154 balls and is his first in Tests. Waugh's 156 n.o. takes his average over 51.

Gillespie took an early wicket. The Bangers are 1/38.

[Donny]

At stumps, Bangladesh is 4/106, Sarkar completed an excellent double with 55.

MacGill has 2 wickets and one each to Lee and Gillespie.

Australia leads by 155 with 2 days to go.

[JLC]

Ive always said Lehmann was a great Sheffield Shield cricketer so im not surprised he is making runs against a State level attack. I go for South Australia and like Blewett and Lehmann but i think both of them struggle at the next level. Blewetts wakness was quality spin bowling. Mushtaq Ahmed made his life hell. Lehmanns weakness is quality fast bowling. Luckily for Lehmann half the quality fast bowlers in the world are on his team in McGrath, Gilesspie and Lee.

Steve Waugh is at the end of his career so its good that he is enjoying and making some easy runs.

Players like Langer normally make runs when Australia need it most. I think Langer likes it best when the team is up against it.

jlc

[Fradam]

Well done Martin Love on his first test century. I'm a huge fan of the guy and it's good to see him do well and keep pressure on the regulars to score runs

[Donny]

Bangladesh was dismissed for 163 to go down by an innings and 98 runs.

Once again, MacGill did the damage with 5/56 for match figures of 10/133 to earn Man of the Match. He was ably backed up by Gillespie's 4/38. He also had good match figures of 7/95.