The nerves of the Australian side are set to be tested for the second straight match, but this time the stakes are much higher.

The visitors looked on track to comfortably pull off a great escape against Bangladesh in Dhaka before three late wickets stalled the victory charge in the first Test on Wednesday.

Chasing 307 runs for victory, the visitors resume at 4-212 on the last day with Ricky Ponting (72no) and Adam Gilchrist (6no) at the crease at Fatullah Stadium.

The tight finish comes just a week after Australia recorded a two-wicket win in Johannesburg to complete a 3-0 clean sweep over South Africa.

A Bangladesh victory would have to be considered one of the greatest upsets in the history of the sport.

Australia does not have any recognised batsmen left in the pavilion and has a longer tail than normal because of the decision to take a five-pronged attack into the match.

But Jason Gillespie expected his lower-order teammates to be more than capable of guiding Australia over the line if needed.

"We have got Shane Warne and Brett Lee to come, they have played very well over the years and I am sure if given the opportunity they will do well again," he said.

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