Bangladesh go to lunch with heads held high after taking 4 wickets
Hasan's Double strike gives Bangladesh the edge before lunch (Photo: cricinfo)
Bangladesh enjoyed an exceptionally successful opening session on the first day of the first Test in Darwin, leaving Najmul Hossain Shanto’s side celebrating after reducing Australia to 74 for 4.
The fourth breakthrough came off the final delivery before lunch on Day 1. Cameron Green mistimed a flick off a stump-line delivery from Taskin Ahmed, offering a sharp catch to Mushfiqur Rahim at mid-wicket. Green departed for 13, leaving the hosts reeling at 74 for 4.
Just an over earlier, Bangladesh missed a chance to dismiss Steve Smith on 7. Smith attempted a defensive shot against an off-stump delivery from Ebadot Hossain but missed. Snicko (ultra-edge) showed no spike upon review, confirming the on-field decision and resulting in Bangladesh losing their second review.
Dismissing Smith—who had survived two close calls earlier in the session—would have given Bangladesh a fifth wicket and complete control of the match. Nevertheless, the visitors have plenty to be satisfied with. At the toss, the captain had expressed his desire to bowl first, and after being inserted by Australia, the Bangladeshi pacers made full use of the conditions.
Apart from an opening stand of 45 runs between Jake Weatherald (23) and Travis Head (22), the hosts struggled throughout the morning. Pushed onto the back foot by relentless pressure, Australia appeared to have no answer to the disciplined bowling of Hasan and Ebadot.
Earlier, Bangladesh goes for bowling first after Losing the toss.
Bangladesh’s 23-year wait to play a Test match on Australian soil has finally come to an end. Their first Test tour back in 2003 also began in Darwin, where the opening Test wrapped up inside three days. This time, Najmul Hossain Shanto’s side is focused on playing quality cricket across all five days.
Bangladesh lost the toss in the series opener, with Australia captain Pat Cummins choosing to bat first.
Test cricket returns to Darwin’s TIO Stadium after nearly 22 years. Given the long hiatus, the pitch behavior remains a mystery to both sides, yet the hosts made a brave call to bat first on Day 1.
The decision played right into Bangladesh's hands. Captain Shanto revealed at the toss that he would have opted to bowl anyway. Having received his preferred outcome, Shanto hopes his pacers can capitalize on the early morning moisture and remove Australia's top order quickly.
In the absence of Nahid Rana, Taskin Ahmed leads the pace attack alongside Hasan Mahmud and Ebadot Hossain. The bowling lineup is bolstered by experienced spinners Taijul Islam and Mehidy Hasan Miraz.
The run-scoring responsibility rests on six specialist batters alongside all-rounder Miraz. The batting unit will aim to withstand Australia's formidable pace attack and avoid a repeat of their warm-up match collapse.
Australia XI: Pat Cummins (c), Jake Weatherald, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Beau Webster, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
Bangladesh XI: Shadman Islam, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Ebadot Hossain.
