Bangladesh edged ever closer to what could become one of the most remarkable victories in their Test cricket annals after Australia stumbled to 161 for 4 at the close of play on the third day of the opening Test in Darwin. At that point the visitors were still trailing by 67 runs, but the situation was far from hopeless. The lower order pair of Cameron Green, who remained unbeaten on 43, and wicket‑keeper Alex Carey, still 19 not out, managed to stave off a complete collapse and keep the Australian innings alive.
Nonetheless, the hosts now face a daunting challenge: they must first erase the current deficit and then amass a defendable total if they hope to stay in the contest. Bangladesh’s path to an outright win is tantalisingly within reach. Should they manage to claim six more Australian wickets swiftly, they could force an innings victory – a result that would mark their first Test win on Australian soil and arguably stand as the biggest triumph in their Test history. When play resumed, Bangladesh were 351 for 6.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz, the seasoned all‑rounder, guided the tail with calm determination, shepherding the side to an additional 75 runs. This effort took Bangladesh to a total of 426 all out, extending their first‑innings lead to more than 200 runs.
Miraz then turned his attention to the ball, delivering a crucial breakthrough by dismissing Steve Smith late in the day. During his innings, Miraz built partnerships of 46 runs with Hasan Mahmud, an 18‑run stand with Taijul Islam, and a valuable 46‑run collaboration with Taskin Ahmed before he was finally dismissed for 65 off 154 deliveries. Australia, at times, seemed to be their own worst adversary, dropping three catches, including a baffling miss by Smith in the deep, which raised their fielding tally for the match to five dropped chances. Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood was the standout with the ball on Saturday, claiming all four wickets that fell that day and finishing with figures of 6 for 89 from 28 overs.
His dismissal of Mehidy also marked his 300th Test wicket, making him the fourth member of Australia’s renowned "Big Four" pace quartet to achieve the milestone and the ninth Australian overall to reach that landmark. Australia’s top order fell cheaply, allowing Bangladesh to tighten their grip on the match before tea at Marrara Stadium.
Both Jake Weatherald (0) and Travis Head (17) were dismissed attempting cuts against the pace of Hasan Mahmud, leaving Australia reeling at 37 for 2. Mahmud’s spell proved decisive; his match haul rose to eight wickets after a first‑innings return of 6 for 55 that had already bowled Australia out for 198, setting the tone for Bangladesh’s dominance over the next two days.
Marnus Labuschagne, who had been searching for runs after a lean spell, looked settled at the crease until he missed a straight delivery from spinner Taijul Islam (1 for 28) and was bowled for 31 off 59 balls. Australia’s hopes of salvaging the encounter rested heavily on veteran Steve Smith. True to his reputation, Smith displayed composure, accumulating runs with minimal risk.
However, the momentum firmly swung in Bangladesh’s favour when Mehidy, who had figures of 1 for 20, seized a sharp caught‑and‑bowled opportunity to dismiss Smith for 44. This wicket left Australia at 122 for 4, still 106 runs behind. Historically, the largest first‑innings deficit that Australia has ever overcome to win a home Test stands at 206 runs, achieved against Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 2010. Bangladesh’s current lead of over 200 runs therefore places the visitors in a position that, while not unprecedented, is exceptionally rare for the hosts.
If Bangladesh can maintain pressure, take the remaining wickets quickly, and perhaps add a few more runs to their lead, they could secure an innings victory – a milestone that would be celebrated as a landmark achievement for Bangladeshi cricket. Such a win would not only be their first on Australian soil but also arguably the most significant triumph in their Test history, underscoring the rapid progress the team has made on the world stage. The broader context of the series adds further intrigue.
While Bangladesh battles for a historic win, the three‑Test series between England and Pakistan is set to commence on August 19, with live coverage on Sky Sports Cricket. Fans can also stream cricket and other sports contract‑free via NOW, ensuring that the excitement of international Test cricket remains accessible to a global audience.