Bangladesh’s bowling attack showed flashes of promise, but Cricket Australia XI seized control of the three-day warm-up match in Darwin on Saturday. Despite Hasan Mahmud’s impressive four-wicket haul, the hosts finished Day Two with a valuable first-innings lead.
After dismissing Bangladesh for 263, Cricket Australia XI replied with 355 to earn a 92-run advantage. Bangladesh then slipped to 19 for two at stumps, leaving the tourists still 73 runs behind heading into the final day.
Hasan stood out with figures of four for 42. However, the rest of the attack struggled to maintain pressure as the Australian batters recovered from an early collapse.
Bangladesh had started brightly. Taskin Ahmed and Hasan removed Sam Konstas and Campbell Kellaway with only one run on the board. Josh Philippe and Kurtis Patterson then steadied the innings with a 51-run stand.
Hasan struck again early on the second morning. He bowled Philippe before Patterson and Jack Clayton rebuilt with another important partnership worth 73 runs.
Ebadot Hossain eventually dismissed Clayton for 48. Soon afterwards, Hasan removed Patterson for 53 to give Bangladesh renewed hope.
That hope quickly disappeared. Teague Wyllie and Jack Doran dominated the middle session with a superb 167-run partnership for the sixth wicket. The stand carried Cricket Australia XI beyond Bangladesh’s total and firmly shifted the momentum.
Doran scored 76 before Mehedi Hasan Miraz finally ended the partnership. Wyllie continued to attack, though, completing an outstanding 130 from 177 deliveries with 16 boundaries before becoming the final wicket to fall.
Taskin Ahmed and Khaled Ahmed wrapped up the innings, but by then the hosts had already built a commanding lead.
Even so, Hasan took encouragement from Bangladesh’s overall bowling effort.
“I think we made a very good start overall. The bowlers maintained really good line and length,” Hasan said after play.
“The conditions here are excellent. There is bounce and swing. As a bowling unit, we tried to execute our plans well.”
The pacer also compared Australian conditions with those in England.
“I would say the conditions in England and Australia are quite similar. I enjoy bowling in both places because they reward disciplined seam bowling. I always try to maintain my line and keep the ball swinging.”
Hasan added that his approach with the new ball never changes.
“My mentality is always to take early wickets with the new ball. That was my focus today, and I tried to maintain that throughout.”
Bangladesh will now look for a stronger batting display on the final day before turning their attention to the opening Test against Australia in Darwin on August 13
