Bangladesh were superb in the first test to get their first ever win in Australia. I'd imagine Australia will bounce back with Smith to lead the way.
Key Stats - Smith Showed Good Form despite Defeat
- Australia’s Steven Smith scored 71 & 44 in the 1st Test.
- Australia’s Cameron Green has scores of 52*, 25, 27 *& 104 in his last 5 innings.
- Australia’s Josh Hazlewood took 6/89 & 1/5 In the 1st Test.
- Bangladesh’s Tanzid Hasan has scored 58, 66*, 22 & 101 in his last 6 innings.
- Bangladesh’s Najmul Hossain Shanto scored 84 in the 1st Test.
- Bangladesh’s Hasan Mahmud has taken 4/42, 6/55 & 3/56 in his last 3 innings.
Aussies Lead but Last Defeat will Hurt
Australia have won five and lost two of their seven Tests against Bangladesh.
Australia First-Ever Home defeat to Bangladesh
Australia trail 0-1 in the two-Test series after a surprise nine-wicket defeat to Bangladesh in Darwin. The result was a major setback for the World Test Championship leaders, and they will be determined to avoid another slip-up.
Australia struggled badly in their first innings, being dismissed for only 198. Steve Smith offered the only real resistance with a determined 71, but the rest of the top order failed to cope with Bangladesh’s seam attack. Travis Head, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green all fell cheaply, leaving the middle and lower order under pressure.
Their second innings was more competitive as they reached 284 after conceding a first-innings lead of 228. Green led the recovery with an excellent 104 from 201 balls, showing patience and discipline. Smith added 44, while Alex Carey and Beau Webster also made useful lower-order contributions.
With the ball, Josh Hazlewood was Australia’s standout performer in the first innings, claiming six wickets as Bangladesh posted 426. Mitchell Starc picked up two wickets, while Pat Cummins also contributed, but Nathan Lyon had limited impact on a surface that offered less spin than expected.
In the second innings, Australia had only 57 runs to defend and could not create enough pressure. Hazlewood took the only wicket as Bangladesh completed a comfortable chase.
Bangladesh Buoyant after Test Win
Bangladesh produced a famous performance in Darwin, beating Australia by nine wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series. They now have a genuine chance to secure a memorable series victory when the teams meet again from 22 August.
After bowling Australia out for 198, Bangladesh built a commanding first-innings total of 426. Opener Tanzid Hasan led the way with a superb 101 from 197 balls, setting the platform for a dominant batting display.
Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto added a composed 84 in the middle order, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz contributed a valuable 65. Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das also chipped in with useful runs to help Bangladesh take control of the match.
Their second-innings chase was straightforward. Set only 57 to win, Bangladesh reached the target with nine wickets in hand. Shadman Islam finished unbeaten on 25, while Mominul made 30 not out.
With the ball, Hasan Mahmud was outstanding. He took 6/55 in the first innings to dismantle Australia, then added 3/56 in the second to finish with nine wickets in the match. His performance earned him the Player of the Match award.
Mehidy also played a key role with five wickets in Australia’s second innings, while Taskin Ahmed and Ebadot Hossain provided important breakthroughs. Bangladesh’s bowlers ensured Australia never settled.
Predicted Lineups & Team news
Conditions should be mostly sunny and dry, with only isolated light showers possible. The new Test venue may offer early pace bounce and seam, before settling into a true-bounce batting surface, with spin likely playing a smaller role.
Australia (possible XI): Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Beau Webster, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
Bangladesh (possible XI): Shadman Islamz, Tanzid Hasan, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain.