Bangladesh Close in on Historic Test Win in Australia

Bangladesh moved within touching distance of a historic Test victory in Australia as off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz claimed three wickets before lunch on the fourth day of the first Test in Darwin.

Australia were 243-7 at the interval, holding a lead of just 15 runs with three wickets remaining. Cameron Green was unbeaten on 85, with Mitchell Starc on 14.

Resuming the day at 193-6, Australia lost Alex Carey for 30, Beau Webster for 5 and captain Pat Cummins for 8 as Bangladesh tightened their grip on the match.

Bangladesh entered the Test as clear underdogs. Their only warm-up match, against a Cricket Australia XI, ended in a heavy defeat, including a second-innings collapse in which they were bowled out for just 54.

They had also never won a Test in Australia, having suffered defeats in their previous two matches there.

However, Bangladesh have outplayed Australia throughout the match, winning every session through disciplined batting, bowling and sharp fielding.

Australia, despite fielding their strongest available side, have struggled from the outset. Their first innings ended at 198 on the opening day before Bangladesh's batsmen produced a determined response.

Led by opener Tanzid Hasan's maiden Test century, Bangladesh posted 426 and kept Australia in the field for 138 overs in Darwin's heat and humidity.

Their bowlers then maintained relentless pressure, making regular breakthroughs to put Australia in serious trouble.

When Australia resumed on Sunday, much of their hopes rested on Carey and Green. Carey survived two early edges off Hasan Mahmud that raced through the vacant slip region for boundaries.

But Mehidy eventually broke the partnership with a superb delivery that pitched in line and turned sharply to take Carey's outside edge. Litton Das completed the catch behind the stumps.

Mehidy struck again soon after, bowling Webster for five to leave Australia struggling at 193-6.

Bangladesh moved closer to a famous victory when Cummins pushed forward to another Mehidy delivery, edged it onto his pad and offered a sharp chance to short leg, where Shadman Islam held on.

Australia were 207-7, still 21 runs behind Bangladesh's first-innings total.

Green and Starc then batted cautiously to prevent an immediate collapse, meaning Bangladesh will have to bat again to complete what would be a landmark Test victory.