One day of action in the Top End could reshape the next 12 months of Australian cricket, as Cameron Green and Alex Carey lead the home side’s fight to avoid a shock loss to Bangladesh.
Australia’s first innings capitulation – along with Bangladesh’s dominance with the bat – has left the home side 67 runs in arrears after three days.
The failure of opener Jake Weatherald (0 from 3), and early departures of Travis Head (17 from 35), Marnus Labushcagne (31 from 59)and Steve Smith (44 from 88), put Australia under significant pressure and have left a mountain for the back half of the order to climb.
Green will resume his innings on 43 (from 86 balls), with Carey on 19 (from 50 balls).
If Green can convert this start into a match-defining innings on Sunday, questions about his long term future in this Test team will subside as Australia look to pull an unlikely victory from the clutches of almost certain defeat.
Should Australia fall short, the Test career of Weatherald could very well be on its last legs, while Labuschagne and Green’s positions will be under more intense scrutiny.
Hasan Mahmud shapes as the visitors’ biggest threat after taking two second innings wickets, adding to his magnificent 6-55 in Australia’s first dig.