Australia began as they had done last evening: Green assured and confident, and Carey rather less so. Had it not been for a curiously attenuated slip cordon Carey might have succumbed sooner. But the morning belonged to Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who found some worn footmarks outside off-stump and attacked them with might and cunning. A good off-spinner makes the ball drift away through the air. Nobody needs a doosra in that event, since the arm-ball behaves like a leg-break. He had Carey caught behind for a struggletown 30, and he deceived Webster with an straight one, where the giant Tasmanian played for spin where there was none. Twice now Webster has been bowled by playing inside the line. And Cummins? Captain Pat has been out of sorts with the bat. He looked unconvincing against Taijul’s left-armers, but succumbed to a catch to short leg from Miraz.
By now the rampant all-rounder had four cheap wickets and Australia was on the mat. But the rejuvenated Green held firm, and found a willing ally in Starc, whose devoted wife Alyssa was sitting in the commentary box, presumably with her heart in her mouth. Please not the slog-sweep, Mitch? she might have been thinking. But the veteran quick has considerable talent with the bat. Far too often he undoes himself by injudicious swipes. This morning he was caution’s own son, watching the ball right onto the bat and only attempting strokeplay to the rare half-volleys he was offered. Shanto took the new ball after 80 overs, hoping for a repeat of Hasan’s early carnage. But the two Australians held firm until lunch, by which time the innings defeat had been averted and a slender lead of 15 achieved. Would they be able to go on with it? Could there be an improbable resurrection?
Well, no. Not against resolute, well-disciplined opponents. Starc succumbed to Taskin, whose bounce and seam movement undid him. The question then became Could anyone stay with Green long enough for his century? The Goat obliged, and Green raised his bat, relieved and happy. Hasan removed him shortly afterwards for a superb 104. He did little wrong, playing back to a shortish delivery from Hasan which kept low and edged onto his stumps. Lyon was trapped leg before by Miraz, who finished with 5/66 in his 34th over: a master-class in off-spin bowling on a pitch which offered him but a modicum of assistance.
Chasing a mere 57, the last rites were enacted with little fuss. Tanzid succumbed to Hazlewood for a duck, having played the wrong line. Mominul and Shadman picked off the runs, and Bangla Desh celebrated, having outbatted, outbowled and outfielded their more fancied opponents. For the home side, Smith, Green and Hazlewood performed excellently. Starc bowled well without luck. The rest? The shockers are gone, the motor is firing on two and a half cylinders and the radiator is full of rust. Change is coming…
(A word of apology: your correspondent is now on holidays and will be offline for some weeks. Enjoy the cricket in my absence.)