Bangladesh sense history in Darwin, but know the job is far from done
Bangladesh are within touching distance of a historic Test victory in Australia, but Mehidy Hasan Miraz knows there is still plenty of hard work to be done. Despite having Australia on the back foot in Darwin, the Bangladesh all-rounder stressed that the pitch remains good and that every wicket will have to be earned through disciplined bowling.
The visitors have earned that position through an impressive all-round effort. Hasan Mahmud’s six-wicket haul helped bowl Australia out for 198 in the first innings, before Bangladesh piled up 426 to take a commanding 228-run lead. Tanzid Hasan’s historic Test century by a Bangladeshi in Australia laid the platform, after which Mehidy added a crucial 65 down the order.
“Look, the wicket is still good. We are not really thinking that way. We are trying to bowl in good areas because every wicket is going to require hard work. We can see that the wicket is not that easy. The wickets we have taken have come after putting in a lot of effort,” Mehidy said in the press conference after the day’s play.
“So, we are trying to restrict the runs as much as possible, and if we can take another three or four wickets within these runs, it will make things easier for us. Perhaps, the target will not be too high either,” Mehidy added.
BANGLADESH HAVE GOT AUSTRALIA ON THE MAT
Bangladesh’s position in the second innings has been built on sustained pressure with the ball. Hasan Mahmud’s early strikes and disciplined spells from the rest of the attack kept Australia from building a substantial partnership, while Mehidy and Taijul Islam continued to apply pressure as the innings progressed.
Australia finished the third day on 161 for four, still 67 runs behind Bangladesh’s first-innings total. Mehidy dismissed Steve Smith for 44, while Taijul accounted for Marnus Labuschagne for 31, leaving the hosts in a precarious position heading into the fourth day.
However, Bangladesh cannot afford to take the victory for granted. Cameron Green remained unbeaten on 43 alongside Alex Carey on 19, giving Australia a potentially important partnership at the start of the fourth morning. The hosts need to erase the deficit before they can think about setting Bangladesh a target.
For the visitors, the challenge will be to maintain the same discipline that has put them in control. The pitch has not deteriorated dramatically, meaning Australia remain capable of fighting their way back into the contest if Bangladesh lose their intensity.
– Ends
