Cricket

Everyone thought Bangladesh would be Test match cannon fodder for Australia after they were skittled for 54 in a tour game against a Cricket Australia XI.

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Instead a full-strength Australia has been embarrassed by the Bangladeshis, being bowled out for 198 in the first Test in Darwin on Thursday.

It was a first innings disaster in 52.5 overs for the Aussies, with Bangladesh fast bowler Hasan Muhmud doing most of the damage with 6/55 while the other four wickets were also taken by pace bowlers.

Australia appeared to be cruising at 0/45 with Travis Head (22) and Jake Weatherald (23) at the crease, but an impending collapse saw the home side lose 4/29 to be reeling at 4/74, with the opening duo departing and underperforming pair Marnus Labuschagne (1) and Cameron Green (13) both failing.

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Steve Smith, who was dropped on two, provided the only resistance, with a gritty 71 keeping Australia’s score semi-respectable in a 55-run partnership with Alex Carey.

But once Carey (19) departed at 5/129, Australia’s final five wickets tumbled for 69 runs as Mahmud ripped through a vulnerable Aussie tail.

In what is predicted to be a wicket that gets better for batting, Australia will be hoping to make early inroads into the Bangladesh top order.

Australia’s bowling attack features all first choice options including Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon, supported by Beau Webster and Green.

Cricket

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