Bangladesh marked their return to Australian soil for Test cricket after a 23-year absence with a commanding performance on the opening day in Darwin. Spearheaded by Hasan Mahmud’s career-best figures of 6-55, the visitors dismantled the Australian batting lineup, bowling them out for 198 after the hosts elected to bat first. By the close of play, Bangladesh had responded strongly, reaching 96-1 thanks to an unbroken 60-run partnership between Mominul Haque and Tanzid Tamim.
Australia’s innings began with a steady 45-run opening stand between Travis Head and Jake Weatherald. However, the momentum shifted when Weatherald chased a delivery outside off-stump, edging behind to the wicketkeeper. Mahmud then struck a crucial blow by bowling Head with a sharp nip-backer. Despite early assistance for the seamers, Australia’s collapse was largely self-inflicted through aggressive shot selection. Marnus Labuschagne fell while poking at a wide delivery, and Cameron Green was dismissed after a mistimed flick, leaving Australia reeling at 74-4 by the end of the first session.
Following the lunch break, Steve Smith and Alex Carey attempted to stabilize the innings with a controlled partnership. Their resistance was interrupted by a drinks break, after which Ebadot Hossain cleaned up Carey with an incoming delivery. The Australian lower order struggled to maintain composure, with Beau Webster, Pat Cummins, and Mitchell Starc all falling to disciplined bowling from the Bangladeshi attack. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto’s tactical rotation of his bowlers proved highly effective throughout the day.
Steve Smith stood as the lone pillar of resistance for the hosts. Despite being dropped in the slips on 2 and surviving another chance, Smith batted with determination to reach 71. His innings eventually ended in the third session when he attempted to charge at Mahmud, only to top-edge a cut shot to the wicketkeeper. Mahmud soon claimed his sixth wicket of the innings, bringing the Australian total to a close at 198.
In response, the Australian pace attack struggled to maintain the necessary discipline, frequently straying in their lines and lengths. Mitchell Starc provided the only breakthrough for the hosts by inducing an edge from Shadman Islam, which was safely held by Nathan Lyon. Lyon had earlier missed a chance to dismiss Tanzid Tamim in the second over of the innings.
Mominul Haque and Tanzid Tamim navigated the remainder of the day with patience and technical discipline. Despite several false shots induced by the Australian bowlers, the pair remained unbeaten at stumps, with Mominul on 35 and Tanzid on 32. Bangladesh finished the day trailing by 102 runs, firmly in control of the opening Test.
Brief Scores: Australia 198 (Steve Smith 71; Hasan Mahmud 6-55, Ebadot Hossain 2-39) lead Bangladesh 96/1 (Mominul Haque 35*, Tanzid Tamim 32*) by 102 runs.
It took Bangladesh 23 years to earn the invite to play Test cricket again in Australia.
Courtesy Mahmud’s 6 for 555, Australia were bundled out for 198 after electing to bat.
Australia had made an assured start to their batting with Travis Head and Jake Weatherald putting on a 45-run stand in the morning session before the latter went chasing after a delivery outside off, only to get an edge
Australia had made an assured start to their batting with Travis Head and Jake Weatherald putting on a 45-run stand in the morning session before the latter went chasing after a delivery outside off, only to get an edge to the ‘keeper.
But Australia’s collapse had more to do with some questionable shot selections than just good bowling.
There was still enough time for Australia to recover from there.
For most of the second session, they maintained the control without going on the defensive.
The hosts refused to be tied down, and that proved counterproductive.
But the adventure brought about its own risks.
But he too departed rather uncharacteristically.
