Australia seek revenge as Bangladesh aim to seal Test series

Australia will look to bounce back against Bangladesh in the second Test on Saturday after suffering a nine-wicket defeat in Darwin that gave the visitors a historic first Test victory on Australian soil.

MACKAY: Australia will look to bounce back against Bangladesh in the second Test on Saturday after suffering a nine-wicket defeat in Darwin that gave the visitors a historic first Test victory on Australian soil.

The result handed Bangladesh a significant psychological advantage ahead of the second encounter, but Australia are expected to respond strongly in Mackay.

Bangladesh’s victory in the opening Test was built on an outstanding bowling performance in the first innings, with fast bowler Hasan Mahmud claiming 6-55 as Australia were bowled out for 198.

The visitors then produced an impressive batting display, scoring 426 to establish a huge first-innings lead.

Tanzid Hasan led Bangladesh’s effort with a composed 101 for his maiden Test century, while Najmul Hossain Shanto added 84 and Mehidy Hasan Miraz scored 65 as Bangladesh kept Australia’s bowlers under sustained pressure.

Josh Hazlewood was Australia’s best bowler, finishing with 6-89, but his efforts were not enough to contain Bangladesh.

Australia fought back in their second innings, with Cameron Green scoring a determined 104 as the hosts reached 284. Bangladesh were then left with a modest target of 57, which they chased comfortably after losing one wicket.

Mehidy Hasan again proved decisive with the ball, claiming 5-68.

Australia have responded by bringing Matthew Renshaw into the side for the second Test, replacing opener Jake Weatherald, who managed only 23 runs in the first match.

Renshaw is expected to open alongside Travis Head, while veteran spinner Nathan Lyon has retained his place despite captain Pat Cummins earlier suggesting Australia could consider a four-man pace attack.

“We just want his best,” Cummins told reporters.

Bangladesh coach Phil Simmons warned his players not to expect the same Australia they faced in Darwin.

“The only thing I had to say to them and I will repeat it anyway, is that Australia is going to come harder,” Simmons said.

“We have to either keep that level of performance or get a little bit better.”

Bangladesh could make a change to their attack, with left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam pushing for selection after returning from a hamstring injury. Simmons, however, appeared reluctant to disrupt a winning combination.

“I’m one, who hardly likes to change winning teams. So it’s a possibility, but I can’t really say,” he said.

Bangladesh captain Shanto said the conditions in Mackay could provide more bounce than those in Darwin.

“In these conditions, there will be a little more bounce than in Darwin,” Shanto said. “Over the last couple of days, the batters have worked on their skills in the nets, and I believe they will cope well with the extra bounce.”

Australia: Matthew Renshaw, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wicketkeeper), Beau Webster, Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.

Bangladesh: Tanzid Hasan, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wicketkeeper), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed, Taijul Islam, Shoriful Islam, Ebadot Hossain.