Bangladesh edged ever nearer to what could become one of the most memorable triumphs in their Test cricket annals after Australia found themselves precariously placed at 161 for 4 at the close of the third day's play in the opening Test at Darwin. The visitors were still trailing by 67 runs, a gap that, while not insurmountable, loomed large over the host side. At the crease, Cameron Green (43 not out) and Alex Carey (19 not out) displayed gritty resistance, refusing to let the innings collapse outright. Their partnership, though modest, bought Australia precious time to regroup, yet the team now faces a daunting challenge: they must first erase the existing shortfall before they can contemplate posting a defensible total that could be defended against a disciplined Bangladeshi attack.
If Bangladesh can quickly claim six more wickets, they could wrap up the match by an innings, delivering a historic first Test win on Australian soil and arguably the most significant victory in the nation's Test history. When Bangladesh resumed their innings at 351 for 6, Mehidy Hasan Miraz took charge of the lower order with calm determination.
He shepherded the tail through a further 75 runs, taking the total to 426 all out and pushing the first‑innings lead well beyond the 200‑run mark. Miraz later made a pivotal contribution with the ball, dismissing Steve Smith late in the day and breaking a crucial partnership. Miraz's batting cameo featured a 46‑run stand with Hasan Mahmud, an 18‑run partnership with Taijul Islam, and another 46 runs added alongside Taskin Ahmed before he was eventually run out for 65 off 154 balls.
His all‑round performance underscored Bangladesh's growing depth and resilience in the longer format. Australia, however, struggled with fielding lapses that proved costly. The hosts dropped three catches, including a baffling miss by Smith in the deep, raising their total number of dropped chances to five for the match.
Such errors compounded the pressure on a batting line‑up already under strain. Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood was the standout with the ball on Saturday, claiming all four wickets that fell that day and finishing with impressive figures of 6 for 89 from 28 overs. His spell not only kept the run rate in check but also broke the rhythm of the Bangladeshi batsmen at crucial moments.
The scorecard from the Australia‑Bangladesh encounter reflected a contest in which Bangladesh had the upper hand for most of the duration. In addition to the on‑field action, fans could follow the match via NOW’s streaming service, catch up on all the day’s scorecards, or tune into the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast for expert analysis.
Hazlewood’s dismissal of Mehidy also marked his 300th Test wicket, a milestone that placed him among the elite members of Australia’s renowned "Big Four" pace quartet and made him the ninth Australian to reach this landmark. Early in the innings, Australia lost both openers cheaply, with Bangladesh tightening their grip before the tea break at Marrara Stadium.
Jake Weatherald was dismissed for a duck, and Travis Head fell for 17 after attempting a cut off the pace of Hasan Mahmud, leaving the hosts at a fragile 37 for 2. Mahmud, who had already taken six wickets for 55 runs in the first innings, added two more to finish with eight wickets in the match, reinforcing his reputation as a potent strike bowler in Australian conditions.
Marnus Labuschagne, looking to rebuild his innings after a lean spell, managed 31 runs from 59 balls before being bowled by spinner Taijul Islam, who claimed figures of 1 for 28. The dismissal highlighted Bangladesh’s ability to extract turn and bounce even on a relatively flat pitch. The onus then fell on veteran Steve Smith to steer Australia back into the contest. Known for his composure and ability to accumulate runs with minimal risk, Smith appeared poised to rescue the innings.
However, Mehidy Hasan Miraz produced a game‑changing moment when he caught and bowled Smith for 44, a dismissal that sent shockwaves through the Australian camp. The wicket left Australia at 122 for 4, still 106 runs behind Bangladesh’s first‑innings total.
Historically, the largest first‑innings deficit that Australia has overcome to win a home Test is 206 runs, achieved against Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 2010. Bangladesh’s current lead sits comfortably within that margin, suggesting that a comeback, while theoretically possible, would require an extraordinary batting display. As the series progresses, the momentum appears to be swinging firmly in Bangladesh’s favour.
Their disciplined bowling, sharp fielding, and the ability to build substantial partnerships have placed them in a commanding position. If they can maintain pressure, take the remaining wickets efficiently, and avoid any complacency, they stand on the brink of a landmark innings victory that would resonate throughout the cricketing world. The three‑Test series between England and Pakistan, set to commence on August 19, will also be broadcast live on Sky Sports Cricket, offering viewers more high‑quality Test cricket. For those looking to stay connected to the sport, NOW provides contract‑free streaming of cricket and other sports, ensuring fans never miss a moment of the action.