Darwin, 15 August 2026:
Bangladesh strengthened its grip on the first cricket Test against Australia on Saturday, taking a 228-run first-innings lead before reducing the hosts to 161-4 by stumps on the third day.
Australia still trail by 67 runs with six second-innings wickets remaining after Cameron Green and Alex Carey survived the closing stages at Marrara Stadium in Darwin. Green was unbeaten on 43 from 86 balls and Carey was 19 not out.
Earlier, Bangladesh extended its first innings to 426 after resuming the day on 351-6, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz making 65 to help the tourists build a commanding advantage over Australia’s first-innings total of 198.
Josh Hazlewood led Australia’s bowling effort with 6-89 from 28 overs, eventually dismissing Mehidy and wrapping up the Bangladesh innings by removing Ebadot Hossain for seven. He also became the ninth Australian to take 300 Test wickets.
Australia’s attempt to erase the deficit started badly.
Hasan Mahmud, who took six wickets in Australia’s first innings, struck again when he bowled Jake Weatherald for a duck with the score at four. He then removed Travis Head for 17 to leave Australia 37-2.
Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith attempted to rebuild the innings, adding 36 for the third wicket before Taijul Islam bowled Labuschagne for 31.
Smith, who made 71 in the first innings, again became central to Australia’s resistance. He combined with Green in a 49-run partnership and took Australia beyond 100 before Bangladesh claimed the day’s biggest wicket.
Mehidy dismissed Smith for 44 with a sharp return catch off his own bowling at 122-4, leaving Australia still 106 runs behind and exposing the middle order.
Green and Carey then steadied the hosts, putting on an unbeaten 39 from 94 balls to prevent Bangladesh from making further inroads before stumps.
Bangladesh’s bowlers maintained control throughout the final session. Mehidy finished the day with 1-20 from 13 overs, including four maidens, while Hasan had 2-33. Taijul took 1-28.
Bangladesh had begun the day looking to turn its overnight advantage into a potentially match-winning lead.
Mehidy, 32 not out overnight, completed his half-century from 117 balls and helped Bangladesh pass 400. He and the lower order added valuable runs before the innings ended at 426 in 138 overs.
Tanzid Hasan’s 101, captain Najmul Hossain Shanto’s 84 and Mehidy’s 65 were the major contributions in an innings that put Bangladesh in a position to push for a rare Test victory on Australian soil.
Scores in brief:
Australia 198 and 161-4 (Cameron Green 43 not out, Steve Smith 44, Marnus Labuschagne 31; Hasan Mahmud 2-33) trail Bangladesh 426 (Tanzid Hasan 101, Najmul Hossain Shanto 84, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 65; Josh Hazlewood 6-89) by 67 runs.
