Mehidy Dismisses Smith as Bangladesh Keep Australia Under Pressure

Mehidy Hasan Miraz ended Steven Smith’s resistance as Bangladesh continued to put Australia under pressure in the first Test in Darwin.

Smith was closing in on a half-century after helping Australia recover with Cameron Green, but the Bangladesh spinner had the final say. Smith misread the delivery and chipped a catch back to Mehidy, who completed an excellent diving catch to his right.

At the time of writing, Australia were 125 for 4, still 103 runs behind Bangladesh, with Green joined by Alex Carey at the crease.

Bangladesh had earlier posted 426 in their first innings after Australia were bowled out for 198, giving the visitors a substantial lead.

Australia’s second innings got off to another difficult start. Hasan Mahmud, who took six wickets in the first innings, removed both Australian openers. Jake Weatherald was bowled for a duck before Travis Head followed for 17, leaving Australia struggling at 37 for 2.

Marnus Labuschagne and Smith then put together a partnership to steady the innings, but Taijul Islam broke through at 73. Labuschagne was bowled for 31 off 59 balls, including two fours.

Smith and Green briefly rebuilt the innings, but Mehidy’s dismissal of Smith dealt Australia another blow. Smith, who top-scored for Australia with 71 in the first innings, made 44 from 88 balls, hitting four fours.

Bangladesh now need six more wickets to put themselves in a strong position for a historic Test victory. Despite playing two-Test and six-ODI bilateral series in Australia previously, Bangladesh have never won a match there.

This could be their best opportunity yet to break that record.