Talking points from day three of the first Test in Dhaka

AUSTRALIA has finally received the news they were waiting on all day — and it spells disaster for the rest of their tour.

No more Bangladesh.

A SOLID finish to the day sees Australia leave day three on much higher ground than they were going in.

But there’s still a giant mountain to climb.

The Tigers, thanks to a handy piece of tail-wagging from teenager Mehidi Hasan, built a strong lead of 265 before being bowled out, giving the Aussies a serious total to make on a track they’ve already proven to be ginger on.

To make matters worse, Australia has only once successfully chased down a total of over 200 in the subcontinent (against Bangladesh in 2006).

The visitors have begun their fourth innings on the right foot, ending the day at 2/108 with David Warner (74*) and Steve Smith (25*) at the crease.

A six-wicket haul from Nathan Lyon was Australia’s highlight of the day after a concerning side strain sent premier fast bowler Josh Hazlewood to the changerooms.

Here were the major talking points from day three in Dhaka.

HAZLEWOOD’S DEVASTATING NEWS

Not another injured seamer.

When Josh Hazlewood left the field early on day three, the Aussies bit their lips. With only one seamer left (Pat Cummins), the tourists knew they would be in for a tiresome innings with the ball.

Reports said Hazlewood had a “sore side” and would not bowl for the rest of the match. The visitors played out the rest of the day awaiting the final verdict on the 26-year-old, and it couldn’t be worse news for their tour of the subcontinent.

News Corp’s Ben Horne revealed Hazlewood would be missing the rest of the Bangladesh tour and will not travel to India for the ODI’s to follow.

“He’s definitely (confident for the summer),” Pat Cummins said of Hazlewood’s injury.

“It’s a pretty common injury unfortunately. Most of us quick bowlers have had it and it’s a pretty standard recovery. Hopefully he’ll be right. Obviously not playing the one dayers but he’ll be right for the first Shield game so he’s just going to get home and get that right.

“He’s obviously really disappointed to miss this and the Indian series but he’s confident.”

KHAWAJA’S ‘HORRIBLE’ SECOND FAILURE

The look says it all.

Usman Khawaja’s return to Test cricket was a painful event. The left-hander fell for one run in the first innings in the worst way possible: running himself out.

The 30-year-old had his second innings to redeem himself, coming in early in Australia’s chase after Matt Renshaw fell for 5. But a serious lapse in concentration saw him attempt a sweep shot early in his innings before settling in and skying the ball into the hands of Taijul Islam.

Social media erupted at his second flop of the match, savaging his “horrible” brain fade.

Banish Khawaja back to Australia. That was a horrible, horrible shot. #BANvAUS

— Abid Hussain (@abidhussayn) August 29, 2017

Wow, what was that from Khawaja? Just 6 balls in... out for 1. #BanvsAus

— Kritika Naidu (@Kritzika) August 29, 2017

AUSSIES ON THE BRINK OF HUMILIATING HISTORY

‘Listen up, mate.’

The myth surrounding Bangladesh’s status as a second-rate side has begun to crumble after three days of dominant Test cricket.

The Tigers have dramatically improved their performance since their last meeting with Australia in 2006, a series the Aussies took 2-0 comfortably (with the help of an iconic double-century from Jason Gillespie).

Australia has never lost a Test match to the format’s youngest side, but that could all be about to change.

Spin immediately began to worry the Aussie batsmen in the fourth innings of the match as Usman Khawaja and Matt Renshaw fell to the hands of Bangladeshi tweakers.

Steve Smith also had his share of pain against spin, narrowly avoiding being stumped after facing his first ball crease. David Warner fought fire with fire and brought up a much needed half-century as the day closed out.

LYON’S SNAGS SECOND-BEST CAREER HAUL

Where would we be without the GOAT.

Nathan Lyon was Australia’s saviour with the ball on day three, cleaning up the tail after a lengthy middle session of humiliation as Bangladesh’s lower order piled on a significant lead.

Lyon finished with figures of 6/82 from 34.3 overs for the innings and match figures of

The Aussie off-spinner also passed Richie Benaud’s iconic wicket tally of 248 this Test, making him the second most successful spinner in Australian history behind Shane Warne (708 wickets).

SMITH’S STRANGE LEAP OF FAITH

As Bangladesh built a strong lead in their second innings, Steve Smith would have sold his soul for a quick end to their charge.

He must have eaten something strange at lunch, because the first man to be tossed the ball was Usman Khawaja.

The 30-year-old had never bowled a ball in Test cricket but didn’t have a terrible debut, finishing his single over with just one run from it.

The shock move to throw in Khawaja may have rattled Bangladeshi batsmen as opener Tamim Iqbal fell to Pat Cummins the following over, causing a minor collapse as Shakib Al Hasan went cheaply to Nathan Lyon shortly after.

MATTHEW WADE’S TOUGH DAY OUT

A few byes were let through in the second innings.

Wicketkeeping in the subcontinent has proven to be a pain from time to time.

Australia’s Matthew Wade had a tough day behind the stumps, bringing his bye tally for the innings up to 15 as the Aussies struggled to roll through the lower order.

Wade also dropped a slight edge off Mehedi Hasan late in the innings as the teenage firebrand turned on the heat against Aussie bowlers.

It wasn’t all bad for the 29-year-old, though, taking two catches off the bowling of Pat Cummins and Ashton Agar at key moments throughout the day.

Originally published as Talking points from day three of the first Test in Dhaka