Philip Jaques scored his maiden Test fifty to push Australia to 151 for two before persistent rain ruled out play for the remainder of the second day of the second Test against Bangladesh on Monday.

Lunch was called early after rain halted the action 27 minutes ahead of the scheduled break and further downpours in the afternoon left the wicket drenched, giving the umpires little choice other than to call off play after a 0900 GMT inspection. Nightwatchman Jason Gillespie and skipper Ricky Ponting [Images] were not out on 28 and 19 runs respectively when the teams went off.

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

Jaques, who made his test debut against South Africa in Melbourne last year, hit 66 before being caught by Shahriar Nafees at mid-wicket off spinner Mohammad Rafique.

Rafique had also removed opener Matthew Hayden [Images] for 29 on Sunday.

Jaques hit a huge six and eight splendid fours, while Gillespie's 28 had six boundaries. Ponting faced 29 balls and hit two boundaries.

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

Scorecard

Bangladesh 1st innings 197 (R. Saleh 71)

Australia 1st innings (Overnight: 76-1)
M. Hayden c sub b Rafique 29
P. Jaques c Nafees b Rafique 66
J. Gillespie not out 28
R. Ponting not out 19
Extras (lb-6 w-3) 9
Total (for 2 wickets, 46.4 overs) 151

Fall of wickets: 1-67 2-120

To bat: M. Hussey, M. Clarke, A. Gilchrist, S. Warne, B. Lee, D. Cullen, S. MacGill

Bowling: M. Mortaza 9 - 1 - 30 - 0 (w-1), S. Hossain 12 - 2 - 48 - 0 (w-2), M. Rafique 13 - 4 - 30 - 2, A. Razzak 12.4 - 3 - 37 - 0