New Delhi: are in a commanding position at stumps on Day 3 of the against Australia at the Marrara Cricket Ground in Darwin on Saturday, August 15. The visitors bundled out for 426 in their first innings, thus taking a 228-run lead, before Australia reached 161/4 at stumps, still trailing by 67 runs.
Bangladesh put Australia under immediate pressure when Hasan Mahmud removed Jake Weatherald for a duck in the second over. Taskin Ahmed also created several chances from the other end, with big appeals against Marnus Labuschagne, including one that skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto reviewed. Travis Head smashed Mahmud for two boundaries in the sixth over, but then fell for 17 in his next over.
Both Australian openers chopped the ball onto their stumps, with Weatherald cramped for room, and Head misjudged the length completely. Marnus Labuschagne looked tentative in the early stages but settled in, while Steve Smith batted with confidence and assurance. The duo stitched a 36-run partnership for the third wicket to steady the innings.
Taijul Islam dismissed Labuschagne for 31 with the batter misreading the quick in-drifter. Smith continued to bat well, forging a 49-run partnership with Cameron Green. Smith looked set for a big knock, but fell 6 runs short of his fifty, chipping the ball back to Mehidy Hasan, who dived to his right to take a sharp catch. Green has continued to bat well and stitched an unbeaten 39-run partnership with Alex Carey, who provided him with good support, barring a few nervy moments.
Bangladesh 426/10 in 1st innings
Tanzid Hasan smashed a hundred, while Najmul Shanto also scored 84 runs to lay the foundation for the massive total. Mominul Haque (49) and Mushfiqur Rahim (36) also made valuable contributions on Day 2. Mehidy kept Bangladesh’s tail together for 52.3 overs, scoring 65 runs off 154 balls with the help of five boundaries and one maximum. The hosts dropped five catches in total, including two in Pat Cummins’ over towards the end of the first session.
Mehidy took most of the strike during his partnerships with Mahmud, Taskin and Taijul. Mahmud played 92 balls, while Taijul smashed Josh Hazlewood for a maximum in his 23-ball 17 knock. Taskin also batted for an hour and 42 minutes, scoring an unbeaten 14. Hazlewood removed Mehidy and Ebadot Hossain in quick succession after lunch to move past 300 wickets in Tests, becoming the ninth Australian bowler to reach the feat.