Australia survive innings lost, take leads in Darwin

Australia staged a stubborn fightback on the fourth day of the Darwin Test against Bangladesh, with Cameron Green and Mitchell Starc frustrating the visitors’ hopes of an innings victory after the Tigers had secured a commanding 228-run first-innings lead.

Australia resumed the day on 161 for four, still 67 runs short of Bangladesh’s first-innings total. Bangladesh struck early through Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who removed Alex Carey, Beau Webster and Pat Cummins to put the hosts under further pressure.

Carey made 30 before edging to Litton Das, while Webster was bowled for five. Cummins followed for eight after being caught by Shadman Islam, leaving Australia in a precarious position.

Green, however, held firm at the other end. Resuming unbeaten on 43, he continued to bat with composure as wickets fell around him. His resistance, reinforced by Starc, gradually pushed Australia beyond the deficit and kept alive their hopes of avoiding an innings defeat.

The fightback came after Bangladesh had dominated the first innings. Australia were bowled out for just 198, before Tanzid Hasan Tamim’s century, Najmul Hossain Shanto’s 84 and Mominul Haque’s 49 helped Bangladesh build a formidable total of 426. Miraz added a crucial 65 late in the innings to extend the visitors’ lead to 228.

Australia’s Josh Hazlewood was the standout bowler, taking six wickets on his return to Test cricket and reaching the milestone of 300 Test wickets. His outstanding spell, however, could not prevent Australia from conceding a substantial first-innings deficit.

Bangladesh had appeared firmly in control when Australia began their second innings, but Green’s resistance and Starc’s support have transformed the contest. Miraz remained Bangladesh’s chief threat with the ball, while Hasan Mahmud also kept the Australian batters under pressure.

With Australia now having erased the first-innings deficit, the contest has entered a crucial phase. Bangladesh will look to finish off the Australian innings quickly and set up a manageable target, while the hosts will be hoping their lower order can build a lead strong enough to turn the pressure back on the visitors.