Cricket: Australia hit back against Bangladesh

FATULLAH, Bangladesh - Australia's bowlers hit back in the final session to reduce Bangladesh to 124 for five in their second innings on the third day of an extraordinary first test yesterday.


The home side, who hit 427 in their first innings, dismissed Australia for 269 after Adam Gilchrist hit 144, his 16th test century.


Bangladesh, who had been 41 without loss at tea, now have a lead of 282 over the best team in the world who will have a good chance of avoiding an embarrassing defeat if their bowlers strike early today.


Bangladesh have won only one of their 42 tests since 2000, that victory coming over a depleted Zimbabwe side. They lost their two previous tests against Australia in 2003 by an innings.


"We are still in a sufficiently good position. Our aim is 125 more runs to set a good challenge for the visitors," Bangladesh vice-captain Khaled Mashud said.


"It is going to be a very good match. (Although) they have a pretty handy lead, we are getting ourselves back into the match," Gilchrist said.


Australia avoided the follow-on thanks to Gilchrist, who batted superbly with the tailenders to take his side from 93 for six to within 160 runs of Bangladesh's total.


The left-hander hit six sixes and 14 fours.


Resuming at 145 for six, Australia lost Brett Lee in the morning session, leg before wicket to Mashrafe Mortaza for 15, before fast bowler Jason Gillespie gave Gilchrist good support.


Mohammad Rafique eventually had Gilchrist caught by Shahadat Hossain at deep square leg.


The spinner captured the three wickets to fall after lunch, removing Gillespie for 26 and Stuart Clark for nought, for his figur4es of five for 62, his seventh test five-wicket haul.


When asked how he felt about getting a five-wicket haul against Australia, Rafique said: "Five wickets or no wicket -- it is the same if you cannot win."


When Bangladesh batted, first innings centurion Shahriar Nafees was bowled by Brett Lee on 33 with the score on 48.


Fellow opener Javed Omar was then caught behind by Gilchrist off Gillespie for 18 to start a mini-collapse.


Skipper Habibul Bashar was run out for seven by a direct throw from Michael Clarke and Mohammad Ashraful was the next to go when he was trapped leg before wicket for four by Clark.


Aftab Ahmed was trapped leg before wicket by Stuart MacGill on 21.


Rajin Saleh was on 29 and Mashud nought at the close.


- REUTERS