Bangladesh Return to Australia After 23 Years. First, They Must Survive the Bounce

Twenty-three years is a long time to wait for a Test match in Australia.

Bangladesh are finally back. Their welcome could hardly be more intimidating. Mitchell Starc. Pat Cummins. Josh Hazlewood. Nathan Lyon. A bouncy Darwin surface. And, just days before the opening Test, an alarming reminder of what can go wrong: Bangladesh were bowled out for 54 in their practice match against a Cricket Australia XI.

Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, however, isn't panicking. For him, the challenge is clear.

“(Tackling) the bounce is the key,” Shanto said ahead of the first Test beginning Thursday at Marrara Stadium. Bangladesh last played a Test in Australia in 2003. This time, they have arrived early, spending around 10-12 days in Darwin to acclimatise to conditions. Shanto also said the team had spent the previous few months preparing on bouncy wickets at home. The 54 all-out, then, is something he would rather treat as a bad day than a warning of things to come. “We can have a bad day, but I think we have prepared ourselves pretty well,” he said. “They have a world-class bowling attack, but as a team, it is a good opportunity to challenge them.”

That challenge will become considerably harder once Australia's new-ball attack gets to work.

Shanto acknowledged that Bangladesh's batting will face its sternest examination against the new ball and stressed that survival alone cannot be the plan. He wants his batters playing their natural game while showing the concentration required to occupy the crease for long periods. “We are playing against a top bowling attack,” he said. “It is important how much consistency and focus we can have. We have to try to bat for longer periods.”

There are reasons for Bangladesh to believe they can make Australia uncomfortable. They recently defeated Australia 2-1 in an ODI series at home, their first series victory over them. Their Test cricket has also improved: Bangladesh are currently fourth in the World Test Championship standings after beating Pakistan 2-0 in May.

Shanto believes the progress is real. “We finished seventh in the last cycle, but we are in fourth place [now],” he said. “As a bowling unit, we have been doing a great job. If we just improve our batting a little bit more, it will be a great team going forward.”

The expected availability of wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das should strengthen a batting line-up that has struggled for consistency at the top. Mehidy Hasan Miraz also arrives with runs behind him after scoring a century in the tour game. Bangladesh could resist the temptation to go overwhelmingly pace-heavy despite the conditions. Shanto hinted that both Mehidy and Taijul Islam could play alongside three fast bowlers, although pace spearhead Nahid Rana will be unavailable.

The Darwin pitch has grass, but Shanto expects opportunities for both batters and bowlers. The drop-in surface also presents another unfamiliar challenge for the visitors. For all the talk about bounce, combinations and preparation, however, Bangladesh's first target is considerably simpler: Stay in the contest.

After being skittled for 54 in the warm-up, Shanto wants his side to ensure Australia cannot blow them away just as quickly when it matters. “We want to play till the fifth day, take it session by session,” he said. “As players we want to take it to the fifth day.” After waiting 23 years to play another Test in Australia, Bangladesh would certainly prefer that their return lasts all five. The second Test will be played in Mackay from August 22 to 26.

(With inputs from ANI)