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!

Headshot of Josh Kempton
Josh Kempton
The West Australian
Bangladesh dominated the first day in Darwin.
Bangladesh dominated the first day in Darwin. Credit: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

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!

We’re back for middle session

Proceedings in Darwin are about to resume for the second session.

Wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey has been tasked with a familiar rebuild job and will join Steve Smith, who has already had a dropped catch and controversial review survival in his seven not out.

AUS 4-74

Green goes and that’s lunch!

Cam Green will not be happy with that dismissal!

The WA all-rounder has chipped Taskin to Mushfiqur Rahim at square leg in the softest of fashions to depart for 13.

And that will be lunch, with Bangladesh rewarded with four wickets on the back of a first session in which they have got the ball in the right areas more often than not.

We will be back for the second session in around 40 minutes.

LUNCH: AUS 4-74

Green collects six

Cam Green has top-edged the first six of the game!

He would have had his heart in his mouth with Ebadot Hussain at deep square, but the ball cleared him and the rope.

AUS 3-74

Smith survives controversially

Bangladesh were certain they had Steve Smith, but a review has proven them wrong - or has it?

Amazingly, Smith was making his way off after the first replay which showed his bat very close to an Ebadot Hussain ball, but edge detection showed no spike.

Third umpire Nitin Menon did not overturn Kumar Dharmasena’s call and he has survived.

AUS 3-68

Not easy being Green

Cam Green is at the crease for the first time in what shapes as a huge series for him individually.

The WA all-rounder has been given an elevation to a more comfortable position in the batting order at No.5 - and after a tough few years, he needs to make it count.

He’s got away with a nice punch down the ground to collect three.

AUS 3-64

Marnus goes!

And now Marnus Labuschagne has followed!

The Australian No.3 looked very tentative throughout his brief stay at the crease and has now poked an edge from an Ebadot Hussain delivery to Bangladesh’s captain Najmul Hossain Shanto.

Australia are slipping into the mire here!

AUS 3-61

Smith living dangerously

Steve Smith does not look comfortable in Darwin.

Having been dropped on two, the Australian star has now moved along to six - but only due to edging Taskin Ahmed in the gap between second slip and gully.

Steve Smith is being tested in Darwin.
Steve Smith is being tested in Darwin. Credit: Getty Images

AUS 2-60

Smudge dropped

And we’ve had out first Steve Smith-caused interruption of the summer.

The Australian No.4, who is two not out, is not happy with something around the sightscreen area.

And only seconds later, he has been dropped by Tanzid Hasan at third slip!

AUS 2-55

Bangladesh firing

In helpful conditions, this has been a great start from an unheralded Bangladesh bowling attack.

Ebadot Hussain is the owner of what is only a modest Test record but he is giving Marnus Labuschagne, who is yet to score from 13 deliveries, nothing easy.

AUS 2-52

Head gone too!

And now Travis Head has followed Jake Weatherald back to the pavillion!

Hasun Mahmud has been rewarded for a strong start with his second wicket, incuding a chop-on from the left-hander.

Are the Aussies under pressure in Darwin?

AUS 2-52

Comments

Latest Edition

The Nightly cover for 18-09-2026

Latest Edition

Edition Edition 18 September 202618 September 2026

Bullock accelerates rate hike fears as Chalmers admits cost-of-living pressure is mounting.