Bangladesh close in on historic Test win against Australia
Bangladesh move closer to their first-ever Test victory in Australia after reaching day three in Darwin with hosts trailing by 67 runs.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Bangladesh edge closer to a historic first Test win in Australia
- Australia trail by 67 runs with 4 wickets remaining on day three
- Cameron Green and Alex Carey bat through to close the session
The Bangladesh cricket team stands on the brink of a historic milestone, pushing closer to their very first Test match victory on Australian soil after an intense third day of play at the Marrara Oval in Darwin.
Australia closed their second innings on 161-4, leaving them still trailing Bangladesh's first-innings total by 67 runs with six wickets down. The hosts' hopes of saving the match now rest squarely on the shoulders of all-rounder Cameron Green, unbeaten on 43, and wicketkeeper Alex Carey, sitting on 19 runs.
The pivotal moment arrived when spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz claimed the prized wicket of key batsman Steve Smith. Smith edged a leading edge directly back to the off-spinner to depart for 44, leaving his team struggling at 122-4 in their second innings.
This potential victory marks a watershed moment for Bangladesh cricket, as they have never defeated Australia in a Test match away from home. Securing a win in this opening match of the two-Test series underscores the visiting team's remarkable development in international red-ball cricket.
Earlier in the morning session, Bangladesh added 75 runs to their overnight total of 351-6. Miraz orchestrated the lower-order resistance brilliantly with 65 runs from 154 balls, frustrating a tiring Australian bowling attack, while Josh Hazlewood claimed 6-89 to secure his milestone 300th Test wicket.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
"The way we showed character and played the last two, three days I think is outstanding. So, really happy to see them play like this,"
Najmul Hossain Shanto, Bangladesh Captain
Shortly after lunch, Bangladesh was eventually dismissed for 426. Seamer Hasan Mahmud then stunned the home crowd by quickly removing both openers cheaply, clean bowling Jake Weatherald for a duck and trapping Travis Head for 17.
Although Marnus Labuschagne steadied things with 31 before being bowled by Taijul Islam, and Smith batted sensibly for his 44 off 88 deliveries, Smith's dismissal erupted the visiting team into joyous celebrations across the pitch.
Historically, Australia has never lost a home Test to Bangladesh, having only suffered a single defeat against the Tigers across six previous encounters back in Mirpur in 2017. This match serves as the first fixture of a two-Test series.
Source: BBC Sport
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