Steven Smith, Australia’s ‘big fish’, was caught and bowled by Mehidy Hasan Miraz. Australia lost their fourth wicket at 122, still trailing Bangladesh by 106 runs. As Bangladesh looked to finish the third day of the Darwin Test strongly, Miraz provided another important breakthrough.
Smith had been Australia’s main resistance in the first innings, scoring 71 off 109 balls as the hosts were bowled out for 198. He once again took on the role of stabilising the innings in the second innings.
He first added 36 runs from 58 balls with Marnus Labuschagne. After Labuschagne was dismissed, Cameron Green joined Smith at the crease. Smith was looking increasingly settled and put on 49 from 106 balls with Green.
He was also closing in on a second half-century in Darwin. He was on 44 runs when a slower delivery from Miraz ended his resistance.
Miraz had spent a long spell to setting up Smith to play the forward drive. When Miraz suddenly took pace off the ball, Smith failed to adjust in time and mistimed his shot.
Miraz dived to his right and completed the catch himself. The dismissal broke a well-set partnership and put Australia back under pressure.
