Australia bowled out for 198 as Bangladesh seize early dominance in Darwin
Steve Smith’s 71 offers little comfort as Bangladesh reach 96-1 at stumps, capitalising on Australia’s frontline attack reunion
Australia’s batting lineup was dismantled for 198 on the opening day of the first Test in Darwin, handing Bangladesh a commanding position in the two-match series. The hosts were skittled for their lowest Test innings total against the visitors, with Bangladesh bowler Hasan Mahmud delivering a career-best performance of six wickets for 55 runs.
The day began with optimism for the home side, who won the toss and raced to 45 without loss on a green-tinged pitch that appeared to offer assistance to the bowlers. However, the momentum shifted rapidly as Mahmud struck in his sixth and seventh overs to remove openers Jake Weatherald and Travis Head. The visitors’ pacemen, supported by Taskin Ahmed and Ebadot Hossain, exploited the conditions with disciplined line and length, restricting Australia to 74-4 by lunch.
Steve Smith provided the only significant resistance for Australia, scoring 71 runs in a defiant innings that featured seven boundaries and a six. Smith was the next-to-last wicket to fall, edging a high catch to wicketkeeper Litton Das after top-edging Mahmud. Despite the collapse, Smith acknowledged the difficulties faced by the unit, admitting the start was “not our best” and noting that pressure led to unforced errors.
Australia’s bowling attack, known as the ‘Big Four’, was reunited for the first time in 13 months. Captain Pat Cummins, playing just his second Test in that period, returned alongside Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Nathan Lyon. However, the frontline trio failed to make a significant impact, managing to take only one wicket between them as Bangladesh’s top order consolidated their position.
Bangladesh ended the day on 96-1, cutting the first-innings deficit to 102. Top-order batters Mominul Haque and Tanzid Hasan shared an unbeaten 60-run stand, with Haque scoring 35 and Hasan 32. The visitors, who are playing their first Test series in Australia since 2003, have now taken a strong hold of the match after losing their previous Test against Zimbabwe by an innings and 85 runs in June.
Smith remained pragmatic about the team’s prospects, stating there was still plenty of cricket to be played. He expressed hope that the Australian bowlers could start strongly on day two to put pressure on the visitors. Australia are now beginning a demanding schedule of at least 20 Tests over the next 12 months, including tours of New Zealand, South Africa, India, and England.
