‘One of Bangladesh's finest days in Test cricket’
Bangladesh's stunning opening day against Australia in Darwin was hailed as one of the Tigers' finest days in Test cricket as the visitors seized control of the first Test with a commanding all-round performance on Thursday.
Hasan Mahmud's career-best six for 55 set the tone as Bangladesh bowled Australia out for 198, before the top order ensured the bowlers' work was not wasted by reaching 96 for one at stumps.
Bangladesh trail by just 102 runs with nine wickets in hand, leaving them in an excellent position to build a substantial first-innings lead on Friday.
Former Australia leg-spinner Kerry O'Keeffe was emphatic in his assessment while commentating.
“This has been one of their finest days in Test cricket,” O'Keeffe said right at the end of the day’s play.
Australia captain Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bat, but Bangladesh's disciplined seam trio of Hasan, Ebadot Hossain and Taskin Ahmed made superb use of the grass on the surface. There was around 4mm of grass at the start of play, and the Bangladesh quicks repeatedly hit their lines and lengths to prevent Australia's batters from settling.
Steve Smith provided the main resistance with 71, but Australia lost wickets regularly before being bowled out in 53 overs.
Former Australia opener David Warner was particularly impressed by Bangladesh's accuracy.
“I've played against and I've seen a lot of cricket, and a lot of teams that have come out here. And I have to say, it's probably the first time I've seen any opposition come and hit the mark with their bowlers straight away.” Warner said.
It's probably the first time I've seen any opposition come and hit the mark with their bowlers straight away
“They're relentless. It's not easy to do in Australia, and they've done that.”
O'Keeffe felt the performance sent a clear message about Bangladesh's intentions.
“I think it's a message to the Australian public that this Bangladesh team has come to play,” he said.
It's a message to the Australian public that this Bangladesh team has come to play
“A lot of people were of the opinion this game wouldn't go too many days, but Bangladesh have clearly won day one thus far.”
Bangladesh's batters then backed up the bowlers. Shadman Islam made 20 before falling to Mitchell Starc, but Tanzid Hasan and Mominul Haque added an unbeaten 60 to take Bangladesh to 96 for one.
Tanzid finished on 32 not out and Mominul on 35, with the pair showing little inclination to take unnecessary risks against an Australian attack that struggled to find the same consistency as its Bangladesh counterparts.
Mark Waugh, however, noted that the conditions could become more favourable for batting as the match progresses.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. “I think it's going to develop into a good batting pitch, especially days two and three,” Waugh said. “Not that it's been a bad pitch today at all.”
It's going to develop into a good batting pitch, especially days two and three.
That could make Bangladesh's position at stumps even more valuable.
With captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz still to bat, the visitors have an opportunity to turn a brilliant opening day into a substantial first-innings advantage.
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