Bangladesh Closes in on Historic Test Victory Against Australia

Bangladesh moved closer to a historic Test victory after Australia slipped to 161-4 at stumps on Day 3 of the first Test on Saturday. Australia still trailed by 67 runs, with Cameron Green unbeaten on 43 and Alex Carey on 19.

Bangladesh needs six more wickets to secure its first Test win in Australia and potentially its biggest victory in the format.

Resuming on 351-6, Bangladesh added 75 runs to reach 426 in its first innings. Mehidy Hasan Miraz led the lower order with 65 off 154 balls, adding 46 runs with Hasan Mahmud, 18 with Taijul Islam and another 46 with Taskin Ahmed.

Josh Hazlewood was Australia's standout bowler, taking 6-89 from 28 overs. His fifth wicket, Mehidy, was his 300th in Test cricket, making him the fourth member of Australia's Big Four bowling attack to reach the milestone and the ninth Australian overall.

Hazlewood then dismissed Ebadot Hossain for seven to end Bangladesh's innings.

Australia's top order again failed to make a strong start. Jake Weatherald was dismissed for a duck and Travis Head made 17 before both chopped on to Hasan Mahmud's bowling while attempting cut shots.

Mahmud finished with 2-33 and took his match tally to eight wickets after claiming 6-55 in Bangladesh's first innings.

Marnus Labuschagne scored 31 from 59 balls before Taijul Islam bowled him with a straight delivery. Steve Smith then appeared to settle Australia with a composed 44, but Mehidy removed him with a sharp caught-and-bowled chance.

Australia fell to 122-4, still 106 runs behind.

Green and Carey then steadied the innings, but Australia faces the task of first overcoming the deficit before setting Bangladesh a target in the final innings.

Australia has previously overcome a first-innings deficit of 206 to win a home Test, against Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 2010.

The two-Test Top End series is the start of a 12-month schedule for Australia that includes 20 Tests, with tours of South Africa, India and England.