‘They’ll be nervous’: Ponting warns Australia as Bangladesh take control

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting believes Australia’s dressing room will be a “nervous” place tonight after Bangladesh strengthened their grip on the historic Darwin Test.

The Test match has not gone how Australia expected it to, and with Bangladesh pushing their lead beyond 150, Ponting says the pressure will now be firmly on Australia’s batters.

"Right now they are right behind the eight ball and there's probably no bigger moment in some of their careers than what's coming up in the next few days," Ponting said on Channel 7.

"They'll be nervous, and those nerves will start to eat away. They're a long way behind in the Test match, and we're going to get a really good understanding of the mindset and the quality and skill of this Australian batting order, as early as tomorrow morning."

Australia were outplayed for a second straight day as Bangladesh moved closer to one of cricket’s great upsets.

On the opening day of Darwin’s historic Test return, the home side were undone by 26-year-old Hasan Mahmud’s six wickets. On Friday, it was Tanzid Hasan, playing only his second Test and the youngest player in the match at 25, who helped push Pat Cummins’ side further into trouble.

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On the opening day of Darwin’s historic Test return, the home side were undone by 26-year-old Hasan Mahmud’s six wickets. On Friday, it was Tanzid Hasan, playing only his second Test and the youngest player in the match at 25, who helped push Pat Cummins’ side further into trouble.

Not even the most optimistic Bangladesh supporter would have predicted the commanding position the visitors assumed at stumps on day two.

Bangladesh ended the day on 351 for 6, holding a lead of 153 runs -- their second-best total in 13 Test innings against Australia. Hasan Mahmud was unbeaten on 13, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz was 32 not out, with the pair set to resume on Saturday on an increasingly easy-paced Marrara pitch.

Tanzid’s first Test century was the centrepiece of another day of domination for Bangladesh. Playing only his second Test, the opener put aside his usual big-hitting approach from white-ball cricket and batted patiently for more than five hours.

He struck eight fours and a six during his 197-ball stay before Mitchell Starc completed the catch to end his innings.

But Bangladesh’s commanding position has been built on a series of important partnerships rather than one individual contribution.

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Tanzid added 102 for the second wicket with Mominul Haque before putting on 93 for the third wicket with captain Najmul Hossain Shanto. Shanto then combined with Mushfiqur Rahim for a 66-run stand.

After Australia fought back with the second new ball, Bangladesh were briefly placed under pressure as their three premier quicks claimed a wicket each in the space of 4.5 overs.

Steven Smith took all three catches at second slip, drawing level with Joe Root for the most catches in Test cricket by a non-wicketkeeper.

Yet Bangladesh refused to surrender their advantage.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Hasan Mahmud batted together for 24.3 overs, adding an unbroken 43 for the seventh wicket to take Bangladesh to stumps on 351 for 6.

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