Australian middle order batsman Peter Handscomb lost 4.5 kg weight battling the heat at Chittagong. The 26-year old fought his way for two and half hours in the treacherous heat to 82 off 144 sharing 152 run stands with opener David Warner who scored the 2nd century on a trot. Australia were 1-0 down in the series after a 20-run defeat at Dhaka.
Bangladesh batted first in the crucial second test at Chittagong and was bowled out for a sort of par 305. In response, Australia put up a better batting display in hunting down the total. After losing Matt Renshaw early, skipper Steve Smith scored a 94-ball 58. After he departed Handscomb joined Warner at the crease and there began their gritty effort.
Speaking about Handscomb”s effort coach Darren Lehmann said “Really gutsy, obviously, it”s pretty hot out there, we saw that yesterday and you have to work really hard for your runs,”
The clock turned back to 1986 when Dean Jones fought equally torturous heat during his 210 vs India in the tied test match at Chennai. The man himself tweeted, “Well played Peter Handscomb and David Warner !! Now line up the saline drip!! “
Australia gained a handy 72-run lead in the first innings and are looking well placed to bowl Bangladesh out quickly and chase what!ever Bangladesh set. They are desperate for this win as defeat would mean a 2-0 drubbing and slipping to 6th in ICC rankings while even a draw would mean their first ever test series defeat against Bangladesh.
– by Atharva Apte