Bangladesh face a fierce Australian response in the second Test after their historic nine-wicket victory in Darwin, with the hosts reshuffling their batting line-up to bounce back in the second Test which will begin in Mackay on Saturday.
The stunning triumph was Bangladesh’s first Test win on Australian soil and gave them a significant psychological advantage ahead of the next encounter.
Bangladesh laid the foundation for their victory with a superb bowling display in the first innings. Fast bowler Hasan Mahmud ripped through Australia’s batting line-up, taking 6-55 as the hosts were bowled out for 198.
The visitors then produced an equally impressive response with the bat, posting 426 to secure a huge first-innings lead.
Tanzid Hasan led Bangladesh’s batting effort with a composed 101 for his maiden Test century. Najmul Hossain Shanto added 84, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz struck 65 as Bangladesh put Australia’s bowlers under sustained pressure.
Josh Hazlewood was Australia’s best bowler, finishing with 6-89, but his efforts could not prevent Bangladesh from taking control.
Australia fought back in their second innings, with Cameron Green scoring a determined 104 to help the hosts reach 284. But Bangladesh were left with a modest target of 57, which they chased comfortably after losing one wicket.
Mehidy Hasan again proved decisive with the ball, claiming 5-68.
Australia have responded by bringing Matthew Renshaw into the side for the second Test, replacing opener Jake Weatherald, who managed only 23 runs in the first match.
Renshaw is expected to open alongside Travis Head, while veteran spinner Nathan Lyon has retained his place despite captain Pat Cummins earlier suggesting Australia could consider a four-man pace attack.
Renshaw, 30, last played a Test in 2023, but Cummins has backed him to make a successful return.
“We just want his best,” Cummins told reporters.
Bangladesh coach Phil Simmons, meanwhile, warned his players not to expect the same Australia they faced in Darwin.
“The only thing I had to say to them and I will repeat it anyway, is that Australia is going to come harder,” Simmons said.
“We have to either keep that level of performance or get a little bit better.”
Bangladesh could make a change to their attack, with left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam pushing for selection after returning from a hamstring injury. Simmons, however, appeared reluctant to disrupt a winning combination.
“I’m one, who hardly likes to change winning teams. So it’s a possibility, but I can’t really say,” he said.
Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto expects more bounce at Mackay but believes his batters are prepared.
“In these conditions, there will be a little more bounce than in Darwin,” Shanto said. “Over the last couple of days, the batters have worked on their skills in the nets, and I believe they will cope well with the extra bounce.”
Australia: Matthew Renshaw, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wicketkeeper), Beau Webster, Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood.
Bangladesh (probables): Tanzid Hasan, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wicket-keeper), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed, Taijul Islam, Shoriful Islam and Ebadot Hossain.
