If anyone thought Bangladesh would be steamrolled by Australia in Darwin, day one of the first Test has rewritten the script. The tourists not only matched the hosts but outplayed them, closing Thursday at 96 for 1 in reply to Australia’s modest 198 all out at Marrara Stadium.
Hasan Mahmud was the star for Bangladesh, tearing through the Australian batting with a superb six-wicket haul. Australia’s top order crumbled under relentless pressure, looking rusty after more than seven months since their last Test action. Steve Smith, who top-scored for the home side, admitted after play, “Conditions were tough for batters today… I didn’t have many partners come with me, unfortunately. But that happens sometimes.” Local hope Jake Weatherald, one of only two Australians with recent red-ball experience, looked uneasy, flashing at balls outside off before being caught behind for 23—another victim of Mahmud’s disciplined pace.
Bangladesh’s Confident Response
Bangladesh’s reply was measured and confident. Openers Tanzid Hasan and Mominul Haque guided their team to 96 for 1 by stumps, putting the visitors in a commanding position. Tanzid, in particular, dug in after surviving a dropped catch by Nathan Lyon, frustrating the Australian attack that included the returning Lyon and Josh Hazlewood, who replaced Scott Boland for this match.
The contrast in composure between the two teams was stark. Australia’s bowlers, led by Pat Cummins, struggled to find breakthroughs, with Bangladesh showing the kind of discipline the home side sorely lacked with the bat. By the final drinks break, Bangladesh had already reached 41 for 1 off 12 overs, setting the tone for the rest of the evening.
A Test Series Full of Surprises
This series opener in the Top End was widely tipped as a mismatch, especially after Bangladesh’s embarrassing 54 all out in a recent tour match. But as the sun set over Marrara Stadium, it was the so-called minnows who held all the aces. With four days left, Australia faces a battle to regain control before the series moves to Mackay’s Great Barrier Reef Arena.
Play resumes tomorrow at 10:30am AEST. If day one is any indication, cricket fans are in for a gripping contest.
