Ponting raises his bat after scoring his 31st Test century

Australia have saved their blushes and stumbled to a three-wicket victory over lowly Bangladesh in the first Test.

Captain Ricky Ponting hit an unbeaten 118 to guide his side home in a tense finish in Fatullah.

They had resumed on 212-4 needing 95 to beat Test cricket's worst side but lost three wickets in the morning session.

However after the break Ponting and Jason Gillespie (4) saw the world champions home. The second Test starts in Chittagong on Sunday.

Bangladesh put up a great fight and have shown that they may well become a force in Test cricket in the future From IE Have your say on TMS

Bangladesh looked on course for Test cricket's biggest upset after dominating the first two days' play by hitting 427 in their first innings and dismissing Australia for 269.

But Australia's bowlers hit back to skittle Bangladesh out for 148 to set themselves 307 to win.

On a deteriorating final day pitch Australia found it hard going, with Adam Gilchrist adding just six to his overnight score before spinner Mohammad Rafique bowled him for 12, reducing Australia to 225-5.

Test match reaction

His next scalp was Warne, who was dismissed lbw for five as Australia crumbled to 231-6.

Ponting, who survived a dropped catch when on 97, then got vital support from in-form Lee who helped steady the innings before being dismissed by paceman Mashrafee Bin Mortaza just before lunch.

At the interval Australia needed just 17 runs and had three wickets in hand and they clinched the victory when Gillespie smashed a boundary.