The series was seen as an uneventful way to end the season as Australia, who were twenty points clear of second place in the ICC Test Championship, played a Bangladeshi team who had won one Test match in their cricketing history and were ranked at the bottom, over 100 points behind Australia.

On arrival, Ponting pointed out, in support of the home side, that "maybe Bangladesh having Test status will take the game forward".

Australia won a close first Test by three wickets after Bangladesh nearly caused a massive upset; then, Australia comfortably won the second Test by an innings in a match well remembered after Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie, normally a number ten batsman, scored a double century after being sent in as nightwatchman.

Day two began in similar fashion, Bangladesh losing only one wicket in the morning session as Rajin Saleh hit a half-century, but after lunch the team were out for 427 - their second highest total thus far in Test cricket.

Australia took to the wicket with a disheartened spirit, conveyed by Matthew Hayden being lbw for six runs in the third over and Ricky Ponting was trapped the same way for 21.

The eighth wicket, aided by Gillespie helped avoid the follow on, with a partnership of 73 in which Gilchrist managed his first Test century for over a year.

Stuart Clark came and went for a duck and Gilchrist was caught, leaving the Australians 269 all out and Bangladesh spin bowler Mohammad Rafique with figures of five for 62.

Bangladesh's scores were worse the second time around, as Nafees failed to live up to his previous innings century after making 33, and opener Omar edged to the wicket keeper Gilchrist for 18.

Soon the captain was run out for seven and Aftab Ahmed lost his wicket in the final over to see Bangladesh positioned at 124 for 5 at stumps.

The fourth day continued in the same vain as Khaled Mashud was bowled for a duck in the second over of the day and both Shane Warne and Jason Gillespie made up for their first innings oversight by bowling and trapping the last five wickets of Bangladeshi for 88 runs, the former improving his previous 0–112 to this innings' 3–28, despite Mohammad Rafique taking three fours off him.

Taking no risks, Australia's openers made a calm 67 either side of the tea break before captain Ricky Ponting came out with seven boundaries and an unbeaten 72 at the close of play.

Their biggest opportunity came when Ponting skied a pull shot on 98 only to be dropped by Mashrafe Mortaza at fine leg.

Rajin Saleh top scored for Bangladesh with 71, and Test Debutant Dan Cullen took his first wicket, claiming the scalp of Mashrafe Mortaza.

Only 18.4 overs were played on a rain-shortened Day Two, which saw opener Phil Jaques score his maiden Test half-century, before being dismissed for 66.