Bangladesh edged ever closer to what could become one of the most momentous victories in their Test cricket history after Australia found themselves reeling at 161 for 4 at the close of play on day three of the opening Test in Darwin. At that stage the visitors were still trailing by 67 runs, but the situation was far from hopeless.
Cameron Green, unbeaten on 43, and wicket‑keeper Alex Carey, 19 not out, managed to steady the Australian innings and prevent a complete collapse, yet the hosts now face a monumental challenge: they must first erase the existing deficit before they can even think about posting a defendable total. If Bangladesh can claim six more wickets quickly, they could wrap up the innings and force Australia to follow on, setting the stage for an innings victory – a result that would mark Bangladesh’s first Test win on Australian ground and arguably the biggest achievement in their Test annals. When the second innings resumed, Bangladesh were 351 for 6.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz, displaying his trademark composure, guided the lower order to add another 75 runs, taking the total to 426 all out. This pushed Bangladesh’s first‑innings lead well beyond the 200‑run mark.
Miraz then turned his attention to the ball, breaking through the Australian line by dismissing Steve Smith late in the day. During his innings, Miraz forged partnerships of 46 runs with Hasan Mahmud, an 18‑run stand with Taijul Islam, and a further 46 with Taskin Ahmed before being bowled for 65 off 154 deliveries.
His calm leadership with the bat and decisive breakthrough with the ball underscored his all‑round importance to the side. Australia, meanwhile, proved to be their own worst adversary at several junctures, dropping three catches – including a baffling miss by Smith in the deep – raising their fielding tally for the match to five missed chances. Josh Hazlewood, capitalising on the pressure, claimed all four wickets that fell on Saturday and finished his spell with impressive figures of 6 for 89 from 28 overs. The match’s scorecard reflected a dominant Bangladesh performance, and the narrative was further enriched by the fact that Hazlewood’s dismissal of Mehidy marked his 300th Test wicket.
This milestone placed him among the elite members of Australia’s renowned "Big Four" pace quartet and made him the ninth Australian to reach three hundred Test scalps. Australia’s top order crumbled early, with both openers dismissed cheaply, allowing Bangladesh to tighten their grip before tea at Marrara Stadium. Jake Weatherald was out for a duck and Travis Head managed only 17, both falling to well‑timed deliveries from paceman Hasan Mahmud as the visitors slumped to 37 for 2. Mahmud’s spell was lethal; he finished the day with eight wickets, adding to his first‑innings haul of 6 for 55 that had bowled Australia out for 198.
His relentless accuracy set the tone for Bangladesh’s dominance over the next two days. Marnus Labuschagne, desperate for runs after a lean spell, looked active at the crease but was caught and bowled by Taijul Islam for 31 off 59 balls, after missing a straight delivery. Australia’s hopes of salvaging the match now rested squarely on the shoulders of veteran Steve Smith. True to form, Smith accumulated runs with his characteristic caution, but his innings was abruptly ended when Miraz, with a sharp caught‑and‑bowled, dismissed him for 44.
The wicket left Australia at 122 for 4, still 106 runs behind. Historically, the largest first‑innings deficit that Australia has ever overturned to win a home Test is 206 runs – a record set against Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 2010. Bangladesh’s current lead therefore exceeds that benchmark, highlighting the magnitude of the task ahead for the hosts. Beyond the immediate drama, this Test carries broader significance for Bangladeshi cricket.
A victory would not only be the first on Australian soil but also a statement that the team can compete with, and defeat, the traditional powerhouses in their own backyards. It would inspire a new generation of cricketers back home and reinforce the progress Bangladesh has made since gaining Test status in 2000. The series itself is part of a three‑match contest, and while the focus remains on this pivotal encounter, fans can also look forward to upcoming fixtures such as the three‑Test series between England and Pakistan, which begins on August 19 and will be streamed on Sky Sports Cricket. For those eager to stay updated, live streams, scorecards, and podcasts – including the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast – are available through platforms like NOW, offering contract‑free access to cricket and other sports content.