Darwin victory within reach

Hasan Mahmud starred on the opening day, Tanzid Hasan Tamim dazzled on the second, and the pace bowler returned to dominate the start and finish of the third. After controlling all nine sessions of the Darwin Test, Bangladesh are now firmly in sight of a historic victory over Australia.

Hasan (2/33), left-arm spinner Taijul Islam (1/28) and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (1/20) struck in Australia’s second innings to leave the hosts at 161/4 at stumps on Saturday.

Cameron Green was unbeaten on 48, with Alex Carey on 19.

Bangladesh resumed the day on 351/6, holding a 153-run lead. Their lower order then stretched that advantage to 228 after adding 75 runs in 27 overs.

Tigers fell just one run short of their highest Test total against Australia, 427 scored at Fatullah in 2006, as they were eventually bowled out for 426.

The visitors added 66 runs for the loss of two wickets in the first session. Hasan was trapped lbw by a straight Josh Hazlewood delivery in the fifth ball of the fourth over of the day.

But not before the tailender had made a vital contribution. Hasan added 46 runs in a seventh-wicket partnership and spent 163 minutes at the crease, facing 92 balls.

The 26-year-old displayed the same Test temperament with the bat that has made him so effective with the ball.

Hasan even launched Hazlewood over backward square leg for six before Taijul fell to a catch at gully off the same over, having made 17 from 23 balls with a four and a six.

Miraz then led the ninth-wicket resistance, adding 46 from 96 balls with Taskin Ahmed before departing for 65.

He was caught behind off a swinging Hazlewood delivery in the over after lunch. Miraz had spent four hours and two minutes at the crease, facing 154 balls and striking five boundaries.

Hazlewood reached 300 Test wickets by dismissing Miraz, becoming only the ninth Australian bowler to achieve the landmark. He also claimed Bangladesh’s final wicket when Ebadot Hossain edged an angled short delivery to the wicketkeeper.

Australia needed a strong response in their second innings, but Hasan Mahmud quickly shattered that hope.

The pacer removed Weatherald and Travis Head in two sharp spells of 3-1-11-1 and 4-1-7-1. Weatherald was bowled for a duck after dragging an attempted shot off a delivery outside off onto his stumps.

Head suffered a similar fate, attempting to attack a delivery outside off before playing on for 17 off 35 balls.

Marnus Labuschagne survived an early chance when wicketkeeper Litton Das failed to hold a catch off Taskin with the batter on nine. Taijul eventually removed him for 31 off 59 balls, bowling him as he tried to turn a delivery pitched on middle and leg to the on side.

Steven Smith, who had survived a review for caught behind, once again attempted to build resistance. But after 122 minutes of defiance, Miraz produced a brilliant return catch to dismiss the former Australia captain for 44 off 88 balls.

Australia still need 67 runs to make Bangladesh bat again, with six wickets in hand. Bangladesh, meanwhile, ended the third day in a position of considerable strength and with history within touching distance.