Australia Still Eye Victory Despite Being on the Back Foot Against Bangladesh

Australia remain confident of pulling off a remarkable victory against Bangladesh in the first Test in Darwin, despite spending most of the opening three days on the back foot.

Australia reached stumps on day three at four wickets down in their second innings and still 67 runs behind Bangladesh. Cameron Green and Alex Carey steadied the hosts with an unbeaten partnership of 39 runs, but Australia will need a much stronger batting effort on day four to turn the match around.

Josh Hazlewood, who reached the milestone of 300 Test wickets during Bangladesh's first innings, believes Australia can still force a result if their lower and middle order can bat deep into the fourth day.“The win is still definitely in our mind, and always is pretty much. So we'll look to do whatever we can to move towards that.”

Hazlewood acknowledged that the pitch had shown some uneven bounce, although Australia have limited experience playing Test cricket at the Darwin venue.

He suggested that if Australia could spend much of the fourth day batting and build a substantial lead, their four-pronged attack could have an opportunity to bowl Bangladesh out on the final day.

Australia face a significant statistical challenge. They would need to overturn a 228-run first-innings deficit, which would be their biggest successful recovery from a deficit at home. Their previous best was a 206-run deficit against Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 2010.

The largest deficit Australia have ever overcome came in Colombo in 1992, when they recovered from 291 runs behind Sri Lanka to win by 16 runs. Australia eventually defended a target of 181, with Shane Warne playing a decisive role in one of the early match-winning performances of his Test career.

Green key to Australia's hopes

Much of Australia's hopes now rest on their middle order, with Cameron Green having an opportunity to produce a significant innings and ease questions surrounding his place in the team.

Green and Alex Carey were at the crease at the end of the third day, but Australia had already lost Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith among others.

Weatherald and Labuschagne remain under pressure after loose dismissals, while Green survived a major scare when he was on 12. An inside edge against Taskin Ahmed narrowly missed the leg stump and did not have enough force to dislodge the bail.

Hazlewood backed Green's approach, pointing to his positive intent throughout both innings.“I think he's shown good intent from ball one in both innings. He looked to score, put the pressure back on the bowler.”

He also admitted that Australia would need some luck if they were to complete a remarkable turnaround.

Bangladesh target early breakthroughs

Bangladesh, meanwhile, remain in control and are hoping to keep Australia's eventual target as low as possible.

Allrounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz followed his first-innings half-century by dismissing Steve Smith, giving Bangladesh another crucial breakthrough as they tightened their grip on the contest.

Mehidy believes the opening session of day four could determine the direction of the match. Bangladesh's immediate objective is to claim at least three or four more wickets before Australia can establish a significant lead.“If we can take at least three or four wickets within these [67] runs, then we won't have a difficult target coming up.”

Bangladesh have already worked hard for Australia's four second-innings wickets and are aware that several experienced batters remain in the hosts' lineup.

With Australia's four frontline bowlers all now members of the 300-Test-wicket club, Bangladesh know they could face a dangerous final-day challenge if the hosts manage to bat themselves into a position of strength.

For now, however, Bangladesh hold the advantage. Australia need a major recovery with the bat on day four if they are to keep alive their hopes of completing one of the most unlikely Test victories in their history.