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DARWIN - Bangladesh tightened their grip on the opening Test against Australia with a disciplined all-round display, leaving the hosts under immense pressure at the close of the third day in Darwin. After piling up 426 in reply to Australia’s modest first-innings total of 198 to secure a commanding 228-run lead, Bangladesh struck early with the ball before spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz removed the prized wicket of Steven Smith, reducing Australia to 161-4 in their second innings. Cameron Green remained unbeaten on 43 alongside Alex Carey (19), with Australia still trailing by 67 runs. The tourists have produced a remarkable turnaround after suffering a heavy defeat against a Cricket Australia XI in their only warm-up match, where they were dismissed for just 54 in the second innings. Since then, Bangladesh have outplayed the home side in every department and are now closing in on what would be their first-ever Test victory on Australian soil. Bangladesh’s first-innings total was built around a determined lower-order effort, spearheaded by Mehidy Hasan Miraz, whose composed 65 frustrated the Australian attack for more than two sessions. Shielding the tail expertly, Mehidy guided Bangladesh beyond the 400-run mark and stretched the lead well past 200 before becoming one of Josh Hazlewood’s six victims. Hazlewood finished with an outstanding 6-89, reaching the milestone of 300 Test wickets during his spell before ending with 301 after dismissing Ebadot Hossain. Australia’s reply began disastrously as Hasan Mahmud, fresh from his career-best 6-55 in the first innings, dismissed both openers Jake Weatherald (0) and Travis Head (17), each bowled after chopping onto their stumps. Marnus Labuschagne offered brief resistance with 31 before Taijul Islam bowled him with a straight delivery. Smith attempted to rebuild the innings with Green but was trapped by Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who induced a leading edge that was comfortably caught, handing Bangladesh another decisive breakthrough. With six wickets still required and Australia yet to erase the deficit, Bangladesh head into the fourth day firmly in control and on course for a landmark Test triumph. Scores in Brief AUSTRALIA 198 and 161-4 (Green 43*, Carey 19*) trail BANGLADESH 426 (Tanzid 101, Shanto 84, Mehidy 65, Hazlewood 6-89) by 67 runs.