Australia chase target of 307

Cricket : Australia took the last five Bangladesh second-innings wickets for 20 runs to leave the touring side needing 307 to…

Cricket: Australia took the last five Bangladesh second-innings wickets for 20 runs to leave the touring side needing 307 to win the first test.

The hosts crumbled to 148 all out in the first session on the fourth day to give the world champions a fighting chance of avoiding an embarrassing defeat. Matthew Hayden (12 not out) and Mike Hussey (18 not out) took Australia to 31 for no wicket at lunch.

Bangladesh resumed on 124 for five and seamer Jason Gillespie soon struck the first blow whe he bowled Khaled Mashud for a duck.  Leg-spinner Shane Warne took three wickets after a barren first innings, removing Mohammad Rafique (14) and Mashrafe  Mortaza with consecutive deliveries before Shahadat Hossain survived the hat-trick delivery.

Rajin Saleh was caught by Hayden off Gillespie for 33 and Warne trapped Enamul Haque Jr. lbw for nought.

READ MORE

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.