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.
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Tea taken in Darwin
After a 48th over which was elongated by Bangladesh wicketkeeper Litton Das receiving some treatment on a blow to his finger, that is tea.
Steve Smith is well and truly playing a lone hand at Darwin’s TIO Stadium and has gone along to 67 not out.
Imagine if the tourists had taken a catching chance he offered in the slips on two, or if a controversial review shortly after had gone their way!
We will be back for the third and final session in roughly 20 minutes.
TEA: AUS 8-183
Starc out!
There will be no Mitchell Starc masterclass with the bat today.
Hasan Mahmud has picked up his fourth wicket courtesy of Australia’s No.9 offering wicketkeeper Litton Das his third catch of the innings.
With six minutes until lunch, Australia will be desperate to get through unscathed.
AUS 8-176
Starc contrast
Mitchell Starc is now at the crease on the back of one of the best summers of his career with the bat.
He made Ashes half-centuries in Adelaide and Brisbane, and Australia would love for him to pull off a similar trick here to give Steve Smith a partner.
AUS 7-175
Cummins departs
Pat Cummins’ slash from a wide Hasun Mahmud offering proved ill-advised, with wicketkeeper Litton Das pouching a comfortable catch.
Australia appear no guarantee to make 200 here, but Steve Smith (58 not out) continues to stand in Bangladesh’s way.
AUS 7-172
Tired Taskin
The leader of Bangladesh’s attack Taskin Ahmed appeared somewhat ginger in his 14th over.
For the sake of the series, hopefully he is just beginning to tire.
Meanwhile, Australia’s No.8 Pat Cummins is showing some intent and has made his way to five not out.
AUS 6-167
Rare sight
You don’t see a five in Test cricket too often, but we have today.
A shy at the stumps from Taijul Islam connected, but Pat Cummins was well in his crease, and no fielders backing up allowed the ball to trickle away to the boundary.
AUS 6-162
Half-century for Smith
Steve Smith is trying to pull Australia out of some very unexpected trouble here.
Flaying Taijul Islam down the ground has moved him along to his 45th half-century in Test cricket.
For the team’s sake, he will be desperate to kick on.
AUS 6-157
What a delivery!
And now Beau Webster is making his way back!
Reintroduced into the attack for his fourth spell, Taskin Ahmed has produced a brilliant delivery which angled in and seamed away to bowl the all-rounder for 12.
The tourists are now into the bowlers, and Australia are in real trouble.
AUS 6-152
Taijul introduced and sent
Bangladesh’s all-time Test leading wicket-taker Taijul Islam started with a rank full toss Steve Smith was all too happy to send away for a one-bounce four.
And Beau Webster followed up with a crisp cover drive, which rocketed to the boundary.
AUS 5-151
Carey gone!
Australia have lost another wicket!
With the first ball after the resumption, Ebadot Hussain brought an inswinger back through Alex Carey’s gate - with the help of an inside edge - to send the wicketkeeper-batter on his way for 19.
Beau Webster is now walking to the crease to join Steve Smith, who looked to be struggling with the Darwin heat and humidity in the innings break.
AUS 5-129
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