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6 hours ago
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Key events
113th over: Bangladesh 354-6 (Miraz 34, Mahmud 14) Bangladesh now lead by 154 runs as Cummins enters his 22nd over. Mahmud plays a straight bat to the first one and ducks the second. The allrounder only has 13 runs but he’s lasted 80+ balls and for a 26-year-old in his 16th Test, this shapes as a career-defining innings. He adds another run to his tally.
112th over: Bangladesh 352-6 (Miraz 33, Mahmud 13) Josh Hazlewood will partner his captain with the opening spells of day three. The Bendemeer Bullet has been the pick of the bowlers so far with 2-68 from his 20 overs. Today he starts by sliding one past the shoulder of Mehidy’s bat. Gorgeous ball. And now Hazlewood goes one better, catching the inside pad. A huge appeal for LBW. Umpire says OUT but Bangladesh will go to the skies for a second opinion… NOT OUT! It seamed too far in the end, just missing leg stump. Early disappointment for the home side but that movement offers encouragement. Mehidy sneaks a single but a strong start by Australia’s pacemen.
111th over: Bangladesh 351-6 (Miraz 32, Mahmud 13) Pat Cummins has the ball for the first over. He starts the day with 1-50. Today represents one of the biggest challenges of his captaincy career but he is right on target so far and his third ball is a 132kph pearl, straight as an arrow and beating Mahmud all ends up. It’s a maiden.
Jack Weatherald’s mum is on the TV talking about her son’s early days in Darwin and outing her son as an avowed naturist (at least in childhood). Her boy got himself into the 20s yet again on Day One, looking good without kicking on. The nuggety opener is now averaging just 22 from his first six Tests and is yet to better the 72 he slashed at the Gabba last summer. With a host of young pups knocking on the door, the almost 32-year-old desperately needs a big score today.
For now, it’s Bangladesh with the bat. Here they come now…
This Darwin wicket has been a bit of a surprise packet but many pundits are picking today as the best day for batting. If that prediction bears out, will the visitors cash in by extending their lead or will the Australians make hay when it’s their time to bat?
With a long hot summer predicted for Australia, the UK’s drought-affected venues could be a taste of what’s to come.
As Australia faces the heat here in Darwin, England’s cricketers are in a heatwave of their own, with returning captain Joe Root about to kick off their post-Bazball future next week with a three-Test series against Pakistan.
For those who came in late, here’s a wrap of Day Two…
Preamble
Angus Fontaine
Greetings cricket lovers. Welcome to day three of the first Test between Australia and Bangladesh in Darwin. And what a fascinating day it promises to be. The boys in the baggy green caps are on the ropes and looking increasingly rattled, as Bangladesh push hard for a historic first victory in Australia.
The Tigers are now a whopping 153 runs ahead with four wickets still in hand after 25-year-old Tanzid Hasan Tamim clobbered a majestic 101 from 197 balls to become the first Bangladesh player to notch a ton on Australian soil. He was given plenty of help by captain Najmul Hossain Shanto (84), Mominul Haque (49) and Mushfiqur Rahim (36) as the visitors surged to an imperious 351 for 6 at stumps.
Australia endured a torrid day in the Darwin heat, dropping yet more catches and watching their legendary pace cartel spanked to all corners of the Marrara Cricket Ground. As the visitors cantered to their commanding lead, the home side’s fears and frustrations bubbled over, with Mitchell Starc involved in a final-hour confrontation with Mehidy Hasan Miraz after the two almost collided mid-pitch during a quick single. Umpires had to step in as Starc snarled “Get off the wicket!” to his rival.
The tantrum was just another sign of the deep trouble Australia find themselves in. Pat Cummins’ men have been thoroughly outplayed in this Test. First, they were humiliated with the bat as young Hasan Mahmud tore through them with 6 for 55 to send them packing for a feeble first-innings total of 198. Yesterday they were given a lesson in Test batting as Bangladesh powered into ascendancy with soft hands and quick runs, showing batting technique and match tactics their esteemed rivals should envy.
Today brings a reckoning for Australia’s XI. Careers hang in the balance with the underperforming Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green all needing runs or face the axe. Can Postman Pat and his wrecking crew bowling squad crash through the Tigers’ tail and keep the visitors under a lead of 200? And if so, will the home side’s brittle top order step up with the same smart and mature batting their opposition have shown? Either way, today is moving day and history beckons.
First ball is at 10am ACST / 10.30am AEST so batten ‘em down and buckle ‘em up because this could be a monumental day of Test cricket.
