The tables were turned on Australia on Thursday, August 13, when Bangladesh’s fast bowlers ran riot in Darwin on the very first day of their return Down Under. The subcontinental side, playing their first Test in Australia in 23 years, produced a stunning display on Day 1 of the first Test, bowling the hosts out for just 198 runs.
Right-arm fast bowler Hasan Mahmud starred with a career-best six-wicket haul as Bangladesh bowled Australia out in just 53 overs.
AUS vs BAN 1st Test Day 1: Live Updates
Australia, who fielded a full-strength team, were dismissed for their lowest total in seven Tests against Bangladesh. Thursday’s horror show came nine years after they were bowled out for 217 in Mirpur on their way to their only Test defeat against the South Asians, in 2017.
Hasan’s haul of 6/55 is the third-best by a Bangladesh fast bowler in a Test innings, behind Shahadat Hossain’s 6/27 and Hasan’s teammate Ebadot Hossain’s 6/46.
BANGLADESH PACERS RUN RIOT
Bangladesh pacemen Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed and Ebadot Hossain exploited the helpful conditions at the Top End to leave Australia struggling at 74/4 after the first session.
Mahmud struck in his sixth and seventh overs after Australia had raced to 45 without loss following skipper Pat Cummins’ decision to bat first.
Darwin-born Jake Weatherald had a partisan crowd behind him but was never really settled on a green-tinged wicket. He needlessly swiped at a widish delivery from Mahmud and was dismissed for 23 off 37 balls.
His opening partner Travis Head fell in Mahmud’s next over, chopping on to a delivery bowled from around the wicket as Australia slipped to 52/2.
Neither Marnus Labuschagne nor Cameron Green could steady the innings as a disciplined Bangladesh attack continued to take the game to the hosts.
It was former Australia captain Steve Smith who once again held the innings together. Smith scored a crucial 71 off 109 balls, but found little support from the lower order.
Frustrated by the constant fall of wickets, Smith came down the track in the 51st over, looking to slap Hasan through the covers. But the short ball got big on him and Smith ended up top-edging it, giving Bangladesh their ninth wicket of the innings.
The majority of Australia’s wickets came through edges on Thursday. Batters either chased deliveries outside off and edged them to the slips or chopped the ball back onto their own stumps as Bangladesh’s pacers made the most of the conditions.
Australia’s 198 was ultimately a remarkable start to Bangladesh’s return to Test cricket in the country, with the visitors firmly in control after the opening day.
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