DARWIN : Bangladesh paceman Hasan Mahmud struck twice as Australia reached 51 for two at tea on day three of the opening test in Darwin on Saturday, still trailing by 177 runs.
Hasan, who took six wickets in Australia’s first innings, bowled both openers on a sweltering afternoon at Marrara Oval, removing Jake Weatherald for a duck and Travis Head for 17. Both batters chopped deliveries onto their stumps.
Marnus Labuschagne was unbeaten on 21, having survived a dropped chance on nine, while Steve Smith was eight not out.
Bangladesh were bowled out for 426 earlier in the day, adding 75 runs to their overnight 351-6 to secure a first-innings lead of 228 after Australia had been dismissed for 198.
All-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz top-scored with 65 and helped Bangladesh’s lower order add valuable runs.
Josh Hazlewood claimed all four remaining Bangladesh wickets to finish with 6-89 on his return from injury. His dismissal of Miraz, caught behind, was his 300th test wicket.
Australia’s fielding remained a concern, with two catches put down in the same over by captain Pat Cummins’ side. Smith dropped Taskin Ahmed at deep backward square leg, denying himself a chance to reach a record 219 test catches, while Head later missed a difficult one-handed opportunity running back from midwicket to reprieve Miraz.
Bangladesh are playing their first test series in Australia in 23 years. The second and final test will be played in Mackay, Queensland, from Aug. 22.
