Bangladesh bowl out Australia for 198 in Darwin Test opener
Steve Smith’s 71 is the highest score as Bangladesh seize early advantage over a struggling Australian side.
Bangladesh have taken a commanding position on the opening day of the first Test in Darwin, dismissing Australia for 198 runs to end the day on 96-1. Hasan Mahmud claimed a career-best 6-55, leading a disciplined bowling attack that dismantled the Australian batting lineup on what was described as a perfect Darwin day.
The result marks Australia’s lowest Test score against Bangladesh, surpassing their previous worst total of 217 in Mirpur in 2017. Despite captain Pat Cummins opting to bat first, the home side failed to capitalise on favourable conditions, with their top order collapsing under pressure from the Bangladeshi seamers.
Steve Smith was the sole Australian to offer significant resistance, scoring 71 runs. He acknowledged the difficulties faced by the batting unit, noting that the team had not played a Test match for some time and that the ball was “doing stuff.” Smith admitted that the pressure led to a few unforced errors, stating, “Perhaps we got dragged into a few we didn’t need to, but that’s the pressure.”
Hasan Mahmud was the pick of the bowlers, supported by Taskin Ahmed and Ebadot Hossain, who each took two wickets. Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto credited the bowlers’ discipline, with Hasan later attributing his success to following the captain’s instructions and trusting the process. The breakthroughs came at crucial junctures, including the dismissal of Cummins and Mitchell Starc late in the innings.
Australia’s lower order failed to build on Smith’s innings. Jake Weatherald (23), Travis Head (22), and Marnus Labuschagne (1) were dismissed cheaply, while Cameron Green and Alex Carey (19) offered brief resistance before falling. Beau Webster and Nathan Lyon were the final wickets, leaving Bangladesh in a strong position to extend their lead.
At stumps, Mominul Haque (35) and Tanzid Hasan (32) had established a solid foundation for Bangladesh’s reply. The visitors, who were widely expected to lose the match within three days, now hold the upper hand in a contest that has shifted dramatically from early predictions.
