Rain delays start of Bangladesh v Australia third day

CHITTAGONG, Bangladesh, Apr 18 (Reuters) Rain delayed the start of play on the third day of the second and final test between Bangladesh and Australia today.

''Umpires will decide when to start the match, but overnight and morning showers suggest that it will take time to make the wicket playable,'' an official of Bangladesh Cricket Board said.

The day's play had been scheduled to start at 0330 GMT (0900 hrs) after it had been called off yesterday following persistent rain.

Philip Jaques scored his maiden test fifty to push Australia to 151 for two, when rain stopped play 27 minutes before the scheduled lunch break.

Nightwatchman Jason Gillespie and skipper Ricky Ponting were not out on 28 and 19 runs respectively when the teams went off.

Australia resumed yesterday on 76-1 after they had bundled out Bangladesh for 197 on Sunday.

Australia lead the two-test series 1-0 after a three-wicket victory in Fatullah last week.

Reuters PM GC0940