Bangladesh Edge Closer to Historic Test Win Over Australia
Bangladesh moved within reach of a first-ever Test victory on Australian soil after spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz dismissed Steve Smith on day three in Darwin, with the hosts now trailing by 67 runs with six wickets in hand.
Australia find themselves under pressure heading into the fourth day of the first Test against Bangladesh in Darwin, after closing day three on 161-4 in their second innings, still 67 runs short of Bangladesh's first-innings total.
The day's defining moment came when Bangladesh off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz removed Australia's key batter Steve Smith, who chipped a leading edge straight back to the bowler. Smith, so often Australia's mainstay, departed for 44 off 88 balls, leaving the hosts at 122-4.
Australia managed to see out the remainder of the session without further losses, but they now face a difficult task to save the match on day four. Their hopes rest with all-rounder Cameron Green, unbeaten on 43, and wicketkeeper Alex Carey, on 19, who steadied things late in the day.
Earlier, Bangladesh extended their overnight score of 351-6 by adding 75 runs to reach 426 all out. Miraz contributed 65 from 154 balls in a determined lower-order effort, while Australia's Josh Hazlewood took 6-89, bringing up his 300th Test wicket in the process.
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto praised his team's character and performance over the past few days. After Bangladesh's innings ended shortly after lunch, seamer Hasan Mahmud, who had earlier taken a career-best 6-55, struck early by dismissing both Australian openers, Jake Weatherald and Travis Head, cheaply.
Marnus Labuschagne and Smith then steadied Australia's innings before Labuschagne was bowled for 31. Green's place in the side had been under scrutiny before the series, but his solid batting alongside Carey gave Australia a glimmer of hope going into the final two days.
Australia have never lost a home Test to Bangladesh, having been beaten by the Tigers only once before, in Mirpur in 2017. This match is the first of a two-Test series.
