Australia in driving seat against Bangladesh

CHITTAGONG, Bangladesh, Apr 16 (Reuters) Australia were 76 for one at the close after they had bundled out Bangladesh for 197 on the opening day of the second and final test today.

Matthew Hayden was the man out for the visitors, caught by substitute Alok Kapali at deep mid-wicket off spinner Mohammad Rafique for 29. Philip Jaques was unbeaten on 38 and nightwatchman Jason Gillespie five not out.

Away from the play, local media mounted a boycott of the match after at least 10 of them were injured in clashes with police.

Witnesses said about 20 officers with batons damaged cameras and clashed with around 50 reporters and photographers who were protesting by the side of the pitch outside the press box during the lunch break.

They were upset over an incident before play began when a policeman assaulted a photographer in a row over using transport in the restricted stadium vicinity.

PRESS GALLERY Haji Zahir, an experienced photographer, said: ''We are leaving the press gallery in protest against excesses by police and there will be no more media coverage if authorities do not take action against unruly policemen.'' Majedul Haque, a senior officer with Chittagong Metropolitan police, said police had gone into action as a number of unruly people identifying themselves as reporters threatened police, who had then promptly acted in self defence.

On the field, paceman Gillespie (3-11) and leg spinners Stuart MacGill (3-68) and Shane Warne (3-47) proved too hot to handle for the Bangladeshi batsmen.

Debutant spinner Dan Cullen also took his maiden test wicket when Mashrafe Mortaza was caught behind by Adam Gilchrist for four.

Bangladesh, who won the toss and opted to bat, lost their first wicket without a run on the board when first-test centurion Shahriar Nafees was caught at square leg by Brett Lee off Gillespie.

Rajin Saleh top-scored with 71 before he was bowled by MacGill.

Khaled Mashud was left undefeated on 34.

Australia are 1-0 up in the two-test series.

Reuters PM GC1813