Bangladesh savoured their first taste of Test cricket in Australia for 23 years on Thursday (August 13, 2026) as they skittled the world’s top-ranked side for less than 200 and went to stumps in command at 96 for one on the first day of the series-opener in Darwin.
Result
Barring Smith, it was a poor display by Australia’s batters after captain Pat Cummins won the toss and put them to work on a slow, green-tinged pitch under a blazing sun.
Key Moments
Hasan Mahmud was the standout performer on a famous day for Bangladesh pace bowling, taking 6-55 at Marrara Oval to rout Pat Cummins’s team for 198, their lowest innings total in seven tests against the South Asian side. Australia’s Steve Smith watches the ball after playing a shot against Bangladesh during their cricket test match in Darwin, | Photo Credit: AAP Image via AP The second-wicket stand was six runs better than Bangladesh’s paltry second innings total of 54 when they crashed to defeat in a warm-up match against a Cricket Australia XI over the weekend.
Smith said the pitch was “tacky” with dew in the morning when Australia’s top order struggled and hoped Bangladesh would find similar conditions early on day two.
How the key figures performed
Under-pressure opener Jake Weatherald (23), Darwin’s first test player, squandered a start and all-rounder Cameron Green’s 13-ball 13 may deepen doubts about his place in the team. “Yeah, not our best.
Still plenty of cricket to be played, obviously,” said Smith, who was dropped in the slips on two.