Australia v Bangladesh live scores: Hosts out to dominate tourists in Darwin
Australia are set to take on Bangladesh in the first Test between the sides on these shores since 2003 — and they will come into the game in Darwin as the firmest of favourites. Follow all the action live!
Cricket: Australia are set to take on Bangladesh in the first Test on these shores between the sides since 2003 — and they will come into the game at Darwin’s TIO Stadium as the firmest of favourites.
The scale of the challenge facing the tourists suffered a disastrous innings-and-53 run loss to a Cricket Australia XI rounded out by fringe State players last week.
Meanwhile, Australia’s selectors have resisted any urge to rest any of the country’s top talent, with a full-strength side named to take on the ICC’s No.9-ranked Test team.
Follow all the action live!
Key events
50 mins ago - 11:06 AM
We’re back for middle session
1 hour ago - 10:31 AM
Green goes and that’s lunch!
1 hour ago - 10:25 AM
Smith survives controversially
1 hour ago - 10:10 AM
Marnus goes!
2 hours ago - 09:44 AM
Head gone too!
2 hours ago - 09:32 AM
Weatherald gone!
3 hours ago - 08:35 AM
Here we go!
3 hours ago - 08:28 AM
The teams
3 hours ago - 08:22 AM
Hello!
Josh Kempton is reporting live.
Weatherald working hard
The local hero Jake Weatherald has gone along to 14 not out, but both his outside and inside edges have been beaten regularly along the way.
He capped off Hasan Mahmud’s fourth over with a sublime drive down the ground for four, which may give him some confidence.
Weatherald was born and raised with the Northern Territory before starting his State career with South Australia, where he has returned for the upcoming State cricket season after a transformative stint with Tasmania.
AUS 0-31
Big change in shield
Some big news about what our domestic season might look like next season from Channel Seven’s chief cricket reporter Tom Morris.
AUS 0-22
Weatherald scratchy
It’s been a scratchy start for Jake Weatherald here, with Taskin Ahmed and Hasan Mahmud causing him issues.
The left-hander does look more upright after an Ashes summer where a technique some viewed as cramped came under the microscope.
Early luck for Head
Bangladesh are getting the ball in the right areas here.
A leading edge from Travis Head from a Hasan Mahmud delivery went straight up in the air, but somehow lobbed precisely between mid-off and mid-on.
Not easy early
There is some grass on the pitch at TIO Stadium, and Bangladesh’s bowlers are getting the ball in the right areas.
Jake Weatherald got away with a slashing boundary from his first delivery, but is being troubled by Hasan Mahmud here.
AUS 0-8
Here we go!
We’re underway in Darwin - and Travis Head has got Australia away to a fine start.
Fresh off claiming a second consecutive Allan Border Medal last week, he has thumped Taskin Ahmed’s second delivery of the game through the covers for four.
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The teams
Australia named their team yesterday and it came down as expected. WA all-rounder Cam Green will take on a vacant spot at No.5, and Josh Hazlewood has been preferred over Scott Boland.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh have opted for two spinners in their all-time leading Test wicket-taker Taijul Islam and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, with their pace attack to be led by Taskin Ahmed.
Australia XI: Travis Head, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Cam Green, Alex Carey (wicketkeeper), Beau Webster, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (captain), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
Bangladesh XI: Shadman Islam, Tanzid Hasan, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Litton Das (wicketkeeper), Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Ebadot Hussain
Hello!
And welcome to our coverage of the first Test between Australia and Bangladesh in Darwin.
Pat Cummins has won the toss and chosen to bat in what is the tourists’ first visit to these shores since 2003.
Australia confirmed their team yesterday and Bangladesh have now named theirs. We will have both for you shortly.
