First Test, Darwin (day three out of five) Australia 198: (Smith 71; Mahmud 6-55) and 161-4 (Green 43*; Mahmud 2-33) Bangladesh 426: (Tanzid 101, Shanto 84, Miraz 65; Hazlewood 6-89) Australia trailing by 67 runsScorecardSpinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz took the crucial wicket of Steve Smith as Bangladesh closed in on a historic first Test victory in Australia on day three in Darwin. Smith, often Australia’s talisman, fired a lead straight to the off-spinner to depart for 44 and leave his team 122-4 in their second innings. Australia batted confidently for the rest of the session but faced a tough task to save the match after closing on 161-4, still 67 runs behind. Bangladesh. Their hopes of salvaging the first Test rest in the hands of Cameron Green, who remained unbeaten on 43, and Alex Carey, on 19. Earlier, Bangladesh added 75 to their overnight score of 351-6, with Miraz scoring 65 and Josh Hazlewood claiming 6-89, including his 300th Test wicket. Miraz led the tail magnificently for his 65 off 154 balls as Bangladesh’s lower order frustrated Australia. “The way we showed character and played the last two or three days I think is outstanding. So I am very happy to see them playing like that,” said Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto. After being dismissed for 426 shortly after lunch, Bangladesh seamer Hasan Mahmud surprised the hosts when he claimed both openers cheaply. 0 and Travis Head for 17 as both players cut into their stumps. Marnus Labuschagne and Smith steadied the ship, before the first was bowled by Taijul Islam for 31. Smith batted sensibly for his 44 off 88 balls, but his wicket left Bangladesh confident of victory as they roared in triumph at the Marrara Oval pitch. All-rounder Green’s place in the team had been questioned before the series, but he defended well. alongside goalkeeper Carey as the pair arrived at the end of the day to give the hosts some hope heading into day four. Australia have never lost a Test at home to Bangladesh, only losing once to the Tigers in six previous Tests – at Mirpur in 2017. This is the first match of a two-Test series.
