Australia stare at major Test upset as Bangladesh strengthen grip

Bangladesh put up an impressive show with bat and ball against Australia as they moved just six wickets away from a stunning upset after the third day of the first Test in Marrara Stadium on Saturday.

Australia finished the day on 161/4, still 265 runs short of the 426 put up by the underrated Bangladesh batters.

A result that appeared unthinkable at the start of the match came into view after tea when Australia's No 4 Steve Smith spooned a return catch to all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz and was dismissed for 44.

Smith's dismissal left Australia struggling at 122/4 and sparked wild celebrations among the Bangladesh players, who mobbed Miraz on the Marrara Oval pitch.

"The way we showed character and played the last two, three days I think is outstanding. So, really happy to see them play like this," Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said.

Cameron Green and Alex Carey then steadied Australia's innings during the final hour, with Green unbeaten on 43 and Carey on 15 at stumps. Australia will need a substantial partnership from the pair on Sunday if they are to stave off defeat.

Marrara Oval, in Australia's tropical north, has been a cauldron of heat throughout the Test, but it was the hosts who appeared to wilt under the pressure.

Australia's vaunted pace attack looked increasingly weary after being put through a third consecutive day of heavy workload. Josh Hazlewood, returning from injury, finished with 6/89 and reached the milestone of 300 Test wickets when he had Miraz caught behind for 65. But the achievement offered little consolation as Bangladesh continued to dominate the match.

Bangladesh had earlier stretched their lead to 228 runs, posting 426 in their second innings after Australia were dismissed for 198 in the first innings.
(With Reuters inputs)