Bangladesh moved closer to a historic first Test victory in Australia after spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz dismissed Steve Smith on day three of the opening Test in Darwin.
Smith, one of Australia’s most experienced batters, was caught off his own leading edge while attempting to defend against Miraz, departing for 44. His dismissal left Australia struggling at 122-4 in their second innings.
The hosts reached 161-4 by stumps, still 67 runs behind Bangladesh, with Cameron Green unbeaten on 43 and Alex Carey on 19.
Bangladesh had earlier added 75 runs to their overnight total of 351-6, eventually being bowled out for 426 shortly after lunch. Miraz top-scored with 65 from 154 balls, while Australia’s Josh Hazlewood claimed 6-89 and reached the milestone of 300 Test wickets.
Bangladesh’s lower order frustrated Australia’s bowlers before Hasan Mahmud struck twice early in the hosts’ second innings. He bowled Jake Weatherald for a duck and Travis Head for 17, with both batters chopping the ball onto their stumps.
Marnus Labuschagne and Smith then steadied Australia’s innings, but Labuschagne was dismissed for 31 by Taijul Islam.
Smith’s 44 from 88 balls appeared to provide Australia with some stability, but his dismissal gave Bangladesh renewed belief as they celebrated on the Marrara Oval pitch.
Green and Carey survived the remainder of the day to offer Australia a slim chance of saving the Test.
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto praised his team’s resilience, saying the character shown over the first three days had been outstanding.
Australia have never lost a home Test against Bangladesh, having won five of their six previous meetings and losing only once, in Mirpur in 2017.
The Darwin Test is the first of
