Australia are facing a major battle to save the opening Test against Bangladesh in Darwin after the visitors built a commanding first-innings advantage and then struck repeatedly at the top of the Australian order on Day 3.
Bangladesh were eventually dismissed for 426, giving them a formidable 228-run first-innings lead after Australia had managed only 198. The tourists’ position was built around a disciplined batting performance highlighted by Tanzid Hasan Tamim’s maiden Test century and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto’s important 84.
Australia at least found some encouragement through Josh Hazlewood. The veteran fast bowler finished with 6-89, with the dismissal of Mehidy Hasan Miraz for 65 bringing up his 300th Test wicket. Hazlewood then removed Ebadot Hossain to complete his six-wicket haul, but Bangladesh had already established a potentially match-winning advantage.
With Australia beginning their second innings 228 runs behind, the pressure immediately returned to a batting order already under intense scrutiny.
Opener Jake Weatherald was dismissed for a duck, compounding concerns over his place in the Test side. Hasan Mahmud, who had destroyed Australia with six wickets in the first innings, struck again as Weatherald chopped the ball onto his stumps.
Hasan then removed Travis Head for 17 in similar fashion, leaving Australia in significant trouble and giving Bangladesh renewed belief that a historic victory on Australian soil was within reach.
Marnus Labuschagne attempted to steady the innings alongside Steve Smith and appeared more comfortable than he had during his recent struggles. However, another promising start went unfinished when he was bowled by Taijul Islam for 31 while trying to work the ball through the leg side.
That left Smith and Cameron Green with the responsibility of rebuilding Australia’s innings. The pair put together a valuable partnership and briefly reduced the pressure, with Smith approaching another half-century.
Bangladesh then landed perhaps the biggest blow of the innings.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz dismissed Smith for 44, taking a sharp return catch after the former Australian captain pushed the ball back towards the bowler. Smith’s departure left Australia 124-4 and still 104 runs behind Bangladesh, placing the hosts firmly on the defensive.
The situation has added another layer of pressure because several Australian batters are effectively playing for their Test futures. Weatherald, Labuschagne and Green were already among those facing scrutiny entering Day 3 after Australia’s disappointing first innings.
Weatherald’s latest failure is particularly damaging. The opener had spoken positively about improved batting conditions before Australia returned to the crease, but he was unable to capitalise and now faces further questions over whether he can secure a long-term position at the top of the order.
Bangladesh, meanwhile, are closing in on what would be a landmark result. The visitors have never won a Test match in Australia, but their performance in Darwin has been built on contributions throughout the side rather than one exceptional individual effort.
Hasan Mahmud has been central to that success. After recording career-best figures of 6-55 in Australia’s first innings, he immediately caused problems again in the second, demonstrating that Australia’s batting collapse was not simply an isolated failure.
Australia now need their remaining batters to erase the deficit and build a meaningful lead if they are to prevent Bangladesh from taking complete control of the Test.
For Bangladesh, the equation is considerably simpler: maintain the pressure, continue taking wickets and convert three days of dominant cricket into what could become their first Test victory on Australian soil.
