Bangladesh bowlers made significant progress against Australia on Day 3 of the first Test in Darwin, despite favourable batting conditions. The visitors managed to break through Australia’s top order, positioning themselves advantageously heading into Day 4. Australia concluded the day trailing by 67 runs with six wickets remaining.
The third innings commenced with Australia facing a deficit of 228 runs. Hasan Mahmud, the Bangladesh pacer, continued his strong performance, following his 6/55 in the first innings. He struck early with the new ball, dismissing Australia‘s openers, Jake Weatherald for a duck and Travis Head for 17, providing Bangladesh an early boost.
Marnus Labuschagne, with 31 runs, and Steve Smith, contributing 44 runs, temporarily stabilised the innings, preventing further quick wickets. However, Bangladesh‘s spinners, Taijul Islam and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, intervened, accounting for both batsmen and further weakening Australia‘s position. All-rounder Cameron Green and wicket-keeper Alex Carey then managed to hold their ground against probing bowling from Bangladesh on what was described as a good batting pitch.
Hazlewood’s milestone amidst Australian resistance
With six wickets still in hand, Australia‘s objective is to overcome Bangladesh‘s lead and then establish a defensible total for the fourth innings, anticipating the wicket will deteriorate. Earlier in the day, Bangladesh‘s lower order frustrated Australia by extending their lead beyond 153 runs to over 200. Mehidy Hasan Miraz‘s aggressive knock of 65 runs was supported by other lower-order batsmen as Australia sought wickets.
Among the Australian bowlers, Josh Hazlewood was a standout, despite some fielding errors from his team. He made an early impact by dismissing Hasan Mahmud for 14 runs. The right-arm pacer also claimed the remaining Bangladesh batters on the third day, including Miraz. Hazlewood finished with figures of 6/89, reaching the milestone of 300 Test wickets.
Hazlewood became the ninth Australian to achieve this feat, joining teammates Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, and Pat Cummins in the 300-wicket club. Among Australians who have reached this landmark, only Cummins, Glenn McGrath, and Dennis Lillee possess a superior bowling average than Hazlewood‘s 24.02. Speaking to Kayo Sports after his achievement, Hazlewood mentioned that such milestones are typically reflected upon later in one’s career, but acknowledged the significance of seeing his name alongside other notable players, including three of his current teammates.
Bangladesh eyes historic victory
Australia found themselves in a precarious situation at 161/4 at stumps, still 67 runs adrift, with Cameron Green and Alex Carey facing a substantial challenge to keep their team in the contest. The departure of Steve Smith, caught and bowled by Mehidy Hasan Miraz for 44 runs after tea, left Australia at 122/4, sparking celebrations among Bangladesh players on the Marrara Oval pitch.
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto expressed satisfaction with his team’s character and performance over the past few days. All eyes are now on Cameron Green, whose position in the team has been a topic of discussion. Following Smith‘s dismissal, Green, with 43 runs not out, and Carey, on 15 runs, defended well in the final hour. A significant partnership between the two is likely needed to prevent defeat for Australia.
The Marrara Oval has been notably hot, with only the hosts appearing to struggle with the conditions. Australia‘s pace attack, which has been active for three consecutive days, showed signs of fatigue. Josh Hazlewood‘s 6/89 and his 300th Test wicket, achieved by having Miraz caught behind for 65 runs, were muted celebrations for Australia given the match situation on Saturday.
Source: icc-cricket.com
