Australia vs Bangladesh: Josh Hazlewood Still Believes in Victory Despite Test Pressure

Australia vs Bangladesh remains finely poised in Darwin after the hosts finished day three of the first Test significantly behind the visitors. Australia were four wickets down in their second innings and still trailed Bangladesh by 67 runs at stumps.

Cameron Green and Alex Carey provided Australia with some stability late in the day, putting together an unbeaten 39-run partnership. However, the home side still faces a difficult task if it wants to turn the match around and complete a remarkable comeback.

Josh Hazlewood keeps Australia focused on victory

Australia pacer Josh Hazlewood insisted that victory remains the team’s objective despite the difficult position. The veteran bowler also pointed towards the possibility of variable bounce becoming a factor on the final day.

Hazlewood suggested that if Australia can bat for a significant period on day four and build a competitive target, the bowling attack could still have an opportunity to take all 10 Bangladesh wickets.

The Darwin surface has shown some signs of inconsistent bounce, although Australia’s players have limited Test experience at the venue. That uncertainty could become important if the pitch deteriorates further.

Australia face a historic comeback challenge

The numbers underline the size of Australia’s task. They currently trail by 67 runs after already losing four wickets in their second innings, meaning the middle order must produce a substantial recovery.

Australia’s largest first-innings deficit successfully overcome at home is 206 runs against Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 2010. Their biggest comeback anywhere came against Sri Lanka in Colombo in 1992, when Australia overturned a 291-run deficit to win by 16 runs.

That Colombo Test also became famous for Shane Warne’s early match-winning impact, providing a historical example of how Australia’s bowlers can still change a Test after the team has been put under enormous pressure.

Cameron Green gets crucial opportunity

Cameron Green remains one of Australia’s most important batters heading into the fourth day. His unbeaten contribution alongside Carey has given the hosts a platform from which they can attempt to reduce the deficit.

Green also received a major slice of luck during his innings. On 12, an inside edge off Taskin Ahmed came extremely close to the stumps but did not have enough force to dislodge the bail.

Hazlewood acknowledged that Green has shown positive intent throughout the match and believes a little luck could help the all-rounder turn his promising start into a significant innings.

Weatherald and Labuschagne remain under pressure

While Green has an opportunity to strengthen his position, Jake Weatherald and Marnus Labuschagne remain under scrutiny following their dismissals.

Australia’s middle order will be crucial on day four because the team needs to erase the deficit before setting Bangladesh a target. Any further early wickets could leave the visitors with a relatively modest chase.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz confident Bangladesh can finish the job

Bangladesh all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz believes his side has a strong opportunity to secure a famous victory. After contributing with the bat, Mehidy also removed Steve Smith to put further pressure on Australia.

Mehidy stressed that Bangladesh’s bowlers need to continue bowling in the right areas and avoid giving Australia easy runs. He identified the opening session of day four as particularly important.

Bangladesh’s immediate target is to claim at least three or four more wickets while Australia are still within reach of the visitors’ lead. If that happens, Bangladesh could potentially restrict the final target to a manageable number.

Australia vs Bangladesh: What to expect on day four

The fourth day could determine the direction of the Test. Australia need Green and Carey to extend their partnership and then rely on the lower order to push the score beyond Bangladesh’s current advantage.

Bangladesh, meanwhile, will be hoping for an early breakthrough. Removing Green and Carey could expose Australia’s lower order and give the visitors a clear path towards setting up a final-day chase.

If Australia manage to bat deep into day four, their experienced bowling attack could still make the contest interesting on the final day, particularly if the Darwin pitch develops more variable bounce.

Bottom line

Australia vs Bangladesh remains firmly in Bangladesh’s favour after three days, but Australia have not given up on victory. Cameron Green and Alex Carey have provided late resistance, while Josh Hazlewood believes the changing nature of the pitch could give Australia’s bowlers a chance on the final day.

For Bangladesh, the priority is clear: strike early on day four and prevent Australia from building a challenging target. The opening session could prove decisive in determining whether the visitors complete a historic Test victory.