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Bangladesh tightened their grip on the first Test in Darwin as Australia finished Day 3 on 161/4 in their second innings, still trailing the visitors by 67 runs with six wickets remaining. After Bangladesh posted a 426 in their first innings to secure a 228-run lead, their bowlers produced another momentous display to leave Australia fighting to avoid an embarrassing home defeat.

Australia vs Bangladesh 1st Test Day 3 Report:

Resuming their first innings on Day 3, Bangladesh pushed their total from overnight positions to a mammoth 426 all out in 138 overs. Mehidy Hasan Miraz led the lower-order resistance with 65, supported by useful contributions from the tail, including Taskin Ahmed’s unbeaten 14 and Hasan Mahmud’s 14.

Josh Hazlewood was the lone bright spot for the hosts with the ball, finishing with figures of 6/89 in 28 overs. Mitchell Starc chipped in with 2/79, while Pat Cummins (1/75) and Nathan Lyon (1/102) claimed a wicket each. Despite Hazlewood’s six-wicket haul, Bangladesh secured a formidable first-innings lead of 228 runs.

Steve Smith, Travis Head Drop Catches

Australia’s fielding woes peaked in the morning session when they dropped two catches in a single Pat Cummins over. First, Steve Smith put down a regulation chance at deep backward square leg to reprieve Taskin Ahmed. Balls later in the exact same over, Travis Head spilt a running one-handed chance from Mehidy Hasan Miraz.

Facing a 228-run deficit, Australia’s top order faltered once again against sharp opening spells. First-innings hero Hasan Mahmud struck in his very first over, bowling opener Jake Weatherald for a three-ball duck with only four runs on the board. Hasan struck again shortly after, cleaning up Travis Head for 17.

Marnus Labuschagne (31) and Steve Smith (44) attempted to steady the ship with a 36-run partnership. However, left-arm spinner Taijul Islam broke through by bowling Labuschagne. Soon after, Mehidy Hasan took a sharp return catch to dismiss Smith for 44, reducing the hosts to 122/4.

Can Cameron Green and Alex Carey Save Australia on Day 4?

With Australia in deep trouble, Cameron Green and wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey joined forces to prevent further damage before stumps. The pair shared an unbroken 39-run stand for the fifth wicket, showing solid defense and patience against the turning ball.

Green remained unbeaten on 43 off 89 deliveries, while Carey was not out on 19 off 43 balls when play concluded. Australia will need the duo to produce a significant partnership on Day 4 to clear the remaining 67-run deficit and set Bangladesh a competitive fourth-innings target.

AUS vs BAN: Brief Scores at Stumps on Day 3

• Australia 1st Innings: 198 all out in 53.0 overs (Steve Smith 71; Hasan Mahmud 6/55, Taskin Ahmed 2/55)
• Bangladesh 1st Innings: 426 all out in 138.0 overs (Tanzid Hasan 101, Najmul Hossain Shanto 84, Mehidy Hasan 65; Josh Hazlewood 6/89)
• Australia 2nd Innings: 161/4 in 53.0 overs (Steve Smith 44, Cameron Green 43, Marnus Labuschagne 31; Hasan Mahmud 2/33, Mehidy Hasan 1/20)
• Match Status: Australia trail Bangladesh by 67 runs with 6 wickets in hand.