NEW HOPE FOR AUSSIES

DAVID Warner has buried his subcontinent demons to give Australia the chance to pull off a miracle win over Bangladesh in the first Test in Dhaka.

Set 265 for victory, Warner scored an unbeaten 75 to lift the visitors to 2-109 at stumps on day three.

Skipper Steve Smith, who survived a tight stumping decision from his first ball, reached 25 not out, leaving Australia needing a further 156 runs to pull off an unlikely triumph.

Warner’s struggles on the subcontinent have been a major headache for Australia, but he dug deep last night to produce his second-highest Test score in Asia. The vicecaptain played with aggression and confidence, cracking 11 fours and a six.

If Australia succeeds in its imposing run chase, it will be its second-highest fourthinnings chase in Asia.

Perhaps the most treacherous element that stands in Australia’s way is a deteriorating pitch that will only get harder to bat on.

Such a fightback had looked far from likely when Matt Renshaw and Usman Khawaja both fell cheaply.

After playing the spin with confidence during his first innings of 45, Renshaw looked far less assured the second time around and was trapped lbw by off-spinner Mehedi Hasan on five.

Khawaja (one) continued his disastrous return to national duties, lofting a sweep shot to Taijul Islam at deep backward square leg off Shakib Al Hasan’s left-arm spin.

Warner was given a life by a Bangladeshi side that earlier in the day had been a deserved favourite to claim its maiden Test victory over Australia. Warner’s cut shot found his edge but Soumya Sarkar couldn’t secure a tough catch at first slip.

Nathan Lyon earlier spun Australia back into contention with 6-82 as Bangladesh was bowled out for 221 shortly after tea. The tourists had looked in big trouble after losing Josh Hazlewood to a side injury within the first hour of play.