Academy side give demonstration of application

Bangladesh were given another taste of the harsh realities of playing cricket in Australia when the Commonwealth Bank Academy side provided a lesson in batting concentration at the Allan Border Field in Brisbane today. Playing their second match of their Australian tour, the Bangladeshis ended the first day of three, in this unofficial game, trailing by 205 runs with nine wickets in hand, after the home side declared at 258 for 3.

A fine third-wicket stand between opener Matthew Innes and Rhett Lockyear restored the position in full for the Academy side, while demonstrating the virtue of application to the tourists. They batted for 195 minutes and added 180 runs in just over 53 overs. Innes, from Victoria, was especially in control and batted throughout the innings for his 128, scored offf 200 balls, in 293 minutes. Lockyear, from New South Wales,scored 90 before he was stumped by Khaled Mashud off Mohammad Rafique.

The Australians capitalised on their decision to bat first. There was some early excitement as Scott Meuleman was bowled by Mashrafe Mortaza off the second ball of the second over.

Aaron Nye attempted to dig in but fell to a catch by Khaled Mashud for 10 and the home team were 20 for 2. But Innes and Lockyear settled,and while none of the bowlers were really taken to, their accumulation kept a good momentum going throughout the innings. Innes' half-century came off 107 balls and Lockyear's off 123.

Once Lockyear departed Callum Ferguson joined Innes and they added 58 in 46 minutes before the declaration was made.

Bangladesh opener Hannan Sarker battled for 36 minutes before he was trapped leg-before by Chris Duval. However, Javed Omar and Habibul Bashar made a good recovery and took Bangladesh to stumps at 53 for 1 off 19 overs. Omar was 32 not out and Bashar on 13.