Cairns, July 25: Australia's bowlers fought back with four wickets after lunch after being made to toil by Bangladesh on the first morning of the second Test in Cairns. The world's bottom-ranked side enjoyed the better of proceedings against the world champions as they reached 103 for one at lunch at the Bundaberg Rum Stadium.
But leg-spinner Stuart MacGill grabbed three wickets in the afternoon session as the tourists slipped from 155 for one to 170 for five.
MacGill broke a second-wicket stand of 108 between Hannan Sarkar, who made 76, and Habibul Bashar when caught the latter off his own bowling for 46.
Jason Gillespie then had Mohammad Ashraful caught behind for a duck before Sarkar departed with the score still on 156.

Alok Kapali then became MacGill's third victim when he was caught by Martin Love for five, before Sanwar Hossain steadied the ship to reach 31 not out at tea.

Australia's sole success in the morning session came when Brett Lee removed Javed Omar for 26, caught behind by Adam Gilchrist after sharing in a first-wicket stand of 47.

His opening partner Sarkar, unbeaten on 54 at lunch, struck nine fours in his 76 before falling to MacGill, who claimed three for 49 off his 13 overs.

The spinner put down a difficult head-high chance at slip when Sarkar was on 29, with Lee the unfortunate bowler.

The paceman had already seen Bashar dropped at gully by Justin Langer before he had scored.

After tasting defeat inside three days in Darwin, the tourists could be well satisfied with their efforts against Australia's attack on a pitch conducive to fast bowling.

Bangladesh made two changes from the side which lost the first Test by an innings and 132 runs in Darwin.

Sanwar Hossain and Anwar Hossain, making his Test debut, replaced Al Sahariar and Manjural Islam.

Australia fielded an unchanged side, with Queensland batsman Martin Love in need of runs to secure his place ahead of home series against Zimbabwe and India this winter.

Bureau Report.