Bangladesh continued their fine bowling display in the second session as Australia went to tea at 183/8 on the opening day of the first Test in Darwin.
The Tigers had already reduced Australia to 74/4 before lunch. They added four more wickets in the second session to take firm control of the match.
Steve Smith stood firm at one end while wickets continued to fall at the other. The former Australia captain also received some luck along the way.
Smith was dropped early in his innings by Tanzid Hasan. He received another life when Mehidy Hasan Miraz failed to hold a chance. Smith made Bangladesh pay for those mistakes and reached his fifty.
Alex Carey, Beau Webster, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc all failed to build a long partnership with Smith.
Bangladesh’s three pacers continued to cause problems. Hasan Mahmud was the star of the attack and took his wicket tally to four. Taskin Ahmed and Ebadot Hossain picked up two wickets each.
Hasan had earlier removed both Australian openers. Jake Weatherald edged behind to Litton Das for 23 before Travis Head was bowled for 22.
Ebadot removed Marnus Labuschagne for one, while Taskin dismissed Cameron Green for 13 just before lunch.
Bangladesh kept the pressure on after the break and moved closer to bowling Australia out for under 200.
Smith, however, remained Australia’s main source of resistance. He went to tea unbeaten on 67 from 96 balls.
Australia finished the second session on 183/8 after 48 overs, with Bangladesh needing only two more wickets to end the hosts’ first innings.
