Bangladesh has placed itself firmly in the driver’s seat of the Darwin Test, shattering a seven-and-a-half-year record on Australian soil. Najmul Hossain Shanto’s side posted 426 runs in 138 overs in their first innings on Day 3, securing a massive 228-run lead against host Australia.

Australia now faces an uphill battle to wipe out the 228-run deficit to avoid an innings defeat.

Resuming Day 3 at 351/6 after bowling Australia out for 198 on Day 2, Bangladesh lost overnight batter Hasan Mahmud (14) early to Josh Hazlewood via LBW, breaking a resilient 46-run stand. Taijul Islam chipped in with a quick 17, including a fine six, before being caught at gully by Cameron Green off Hazlewood.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz held the lower order together, completing his 12th Test half-century off 117 balls. Miraz then forged a crucial 46-run partnership for the ninth wicket with Taskin Ahmed. Australia’s frustrations mounted in a eventful Pat Cummins over, where Steven Smith and Travis Head dropped Taskin (on 10) and Miraz (on 52) respectively. Earlier, Australia burned their final review on an unsuccessful catch appeal against Miraz.

Hazlewood eventually broke the resistance by dismissing Miraz for 65 (152 balls, 5x4, 1x6). With this wicket, the veteran Australian pacer achieved the milestone of 300 Test wickets. He then wrapped up the Bangladeshi innings by dismissing Ebadot Hossain (7) to finish with a five-wicket haul as Bangladesh ended on 426. Taskin remained unbeaten on 14.

Hazlewood claimed all four Bangladeshi wickets to fall on Day 3. Australia was forced to bowl 138 overs to bowl out Bangladesh—their longest bowling innings at home in seven and a half years since January 2019, when they bowled 167.2 overs against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground.