DARWIN, Australia (AP) — A half-century for Mehidy Hasan Miraz helped guide Bangladesh to 417-8 at lunch on Day 3 as it continued to dominate the series-opening cricket test against Australia.
Resuming Saturday at 351-6, Bangladesh added a further 66 runs in the morning session for the loss of two wickets as it lifted its lead over a battered and sloppy Australia to 219 runs.
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Australia's captain Pat Cummins prepares to catch the ball during play on day three of the first cricket test against Bangladesh in Darwin, Australia, Saturday, Aug.15, 2026, (James Ross/AAPImage via AP)
Mehidy Hasan Miraz of Bangladesh bats during play on day three of the first cricket test in Darwin, Australia, Saturday, Aug.15, 2026, (James Ross/AAPImage via AP)
Australian players from left, Travis Head, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins and Marnus Labuschagne react at the close of play on day two of the first cricket test against Bangladesh in Darwin, Australia, Friday, Aug.14, 2026, (James Ross/AAPImage via AP)
Mehidy Hasan Miraz of Bangladesh bats during play on day three of the first cricket test against Australia in Darwin, Australia, Saturday, Aug.15, 2026, (James Ross/AAPImage via AP)
At lunch, Mehidy was unbeaten on 65 from 152 balls, including a towering six off Cameron Green from the final ball of the session, to underline the tourists' dominance in all facets of this test so far.
Taskin Ahmed was 12 not out at the break, sharing a handy 45-run partnership with Mehidy.
Josh Hazelwood claimed both wickets to fall on Saturday and has 4-86 in his return to test cricket from injury on what was another poor session for the hosts.
Dropped catches from Steve Smith, Green and Travis Head ensured yesterday's brief rally in the field fizzled out and allowed Bangladesh to bat itself into an almost impregnable position.
Mehidy also shared a partnership of 46 with Hasan Mahmud (14) through Saturday morning before Hazlewood got his third wicket of the innings with a full and straight delivery that cannoned into the tailenders pads to be out leg before wicket.
Hazlewood also captured Taijul Islam, taken at gully by Green for 17.
Mehidy brought up his 50 shortly before lunch off 117 balls, with five boundaries.
On Thursday's opening day Bangladesh dismissed Australia for 198 in 53 overs, after the hosts had won the toss and batted.
The two-test “Top End” series starts a heavy 12-month schedule for the Australians that will feature 20 test matches, including tours to South Africa, India and England.
See AP’s full cricket coverage here
Australia's captain Pat Cummins prepares to catch the ball during play on day three of the first cricket test against Bangladesh in Darwin, Australia, Saturday, Aug.15, 2026, (James Ross/AAPImage via AP)
Mehidy Hasan Miraz of Bangladesh bats during play on day three of the first cricket test in Darwin, Australia, Saturday, Aug.15, 2026, (James Ross/AAPImage via AP)
Australian players from left, Travis Head, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins and Marnus Labuschagne react at the close of play on day two of the first cricket test against Bangladesh in Darwin, Australia, Friday, Aug.14, 2026, (James Ross/AAPImage via AP)
Mehidy Hasan Miraz of Bangladesh bats during play on day three of the first cricket test against Australia in Darwin, Australia, Saturday, Aug.15, 2026, (James Ross/AAPImage via AP)
ATLANTA (AP) — Jarrett Stidham threw a touchdown pass in his bid to keep his hold on Denver’s backup job and Jahdae Barron returned an interception 97 yards for a touchdown as the Broncos overwhelmed the Atlanta Falcons 27-7 on Friday night in the preseason opener for both teams.
Stidham completed 9 of 15 passes for 131 yards, including a 5-yard scoring pass to Jaleel McLaughlin, while playing the first half.
“He's really good with the operation,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said about Stidham. “I thought he handled it well.”
Payton announced Wednesday starting quarterback Bo Nix would not play against Atlanta. Nix is expected to make his preseason debut next week at home against Green Bay. Sam Ehlinger played the second half, completing 10 of 14 passes for 67 yards, after Stidham led the Broncos to a 24-0 halftime lead.
Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa completed 3 of 5 passes for 22 yards while playing two series. Tagovailoa's expected competition for the starting job has been on hold with Michael Penix Jr. still not cleared for team drills as he continues his recovery from surgery on his left knee.
Cooper Rush, who played behind Tagovailoa, threw two interceptions, including Barron's pick returned for a touchdown. A deflection by linebacker Karene Reid on Rush's pass for Chris Blair set up the interception.
Two prominent Atlanta starters, running back Bijan Robinson and wide receiver Drake London, were in uniform but did not play. The Falcons were held to 192 yards in the debut for coach Kevin Stefanski.
“There's plenty to clean up,” Stefanski said. “I thought it was great being in our building, for a lot of us being in here for the first time.”
Stefanski said the offense “didn't move the ball wall.” Asked to evaluate Tagovailoa's performance, Stefanski said “It's hard to give a grade on that sample size” of only nine snaps.
A fumble by McLaughlin set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Atlanta's third quarterback, undrafted rookie Jack Strand, late in the third quarter. Penix and Tagovailoa made sure Strand was given the ball from the touchdown on the quarterback sneak.
“That was cool for sure,” Strand said. “... They've been so supportive of me this whole training camp.”
Falcons second-year edge rusher James Pearce Jr. had two tackles as a backup hours after the NFL announced his suspension without pay for the first eight games of the season for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. The suspension begins Aug. 30 and he will be eligible for reinstatement Nov. 2. He is expected to play in the remaining preseason games.
Pearce's suspension was the second major hit to the Falcons' pass rush, following Jalon Walker's season-ending torn ACL in his left knee. Pearce led Atlanta with 10.5 sacks as a rookie. Walker had 5.5 sacks.
Payton said first-year offensive coordinator Davis Webb enjoyed a “smooth” debut.
“Davis was on point,” Payton said.
A new Field Turf playing surface was installed at Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the NFL season after real grass was used for eight World Cup soccer games this summer.
Broncos: Linebacker Levelle Bailey was carted off the field with an ankle injury and listed as questionable.
Falcons: Stefanski said left tackle Jake Matthews, who left the game after one series, “was dealing with something but he's OK.”
Broncos: Host Green Bay next Friday.
Falcons: Following joint practices at the Colts next week, Atlanta will play at Indianapolis on Aug. 22.
See AP’s full NFL coverage here
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Goodson (25) runs against the Denver Broncos during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik Lesser)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Cooper Rush (13) passes during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik Lesser)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Chris Blair (19) makes a catch against Denver Broncos safety Jl Skinner (34) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Denver Broncos cornerback Jahdae Barron (23) returns an interception for a touchdown during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik Lesser)
Denver Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham (8) passes during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
