Bangladesh’s seam attack stole the spotlight on the opening day of the first Test, eclipsing the much‑talked‑about Australian "Big Four" as the hosts were bundled out for 198 runs. Hasan Mahmud delivered a career‑best spell, claiming six wickets for 55 runs, and set the tone for a memorable start to Bangladesh’s Australian tour. After the early collapse, Bangladesh’s top‑order steadied the ship, reaching 96 for one at stumps and narrowing the first‑innings deficit to just 102 runs.
The victory was all the sweeter given that Bangladesh had suffered a heavy defeat to Zimbabwe in June, losing by an innings and 85 runs. Yet, in Darwin on Thursday, the side produced a dream opening performance in what is their first Test series on Australian soil since 2003. Australia, meanwhile, have a packed calendar ahead, with at least 20 Test matches slated over the next twelve months, including tours of New Zealand, South Africa, India and the Ashes series in England, which kicks off at Trent Bridge on June 18. Captain Steve Smith conceded that the Australian start against Bangladesh was "not our best" and added, "There’s still plenty of cricket to be played, obviously.
It would have been nice to have taken a few more wickets. So, hopefully we start well in the morning, pick up a few early ones and put pressure on." Mahmud’s spell was the highlight for the visitors.
He maintained a disciplined line and length, breaking through the Australian top order in his sixth and seventh overs by dismissing openers Jake Weatherald (23) and Travis Head (22). Australia had won the toss and begun their innings confidently, reaching 45 runs without loss on a green‑tinged pitch that offered seam movement. Alongside Mahmud, fellow pacemen Taskin Ahmed (2‑55) and Ebadot Hossain (2‑39) kept the pressure relentless through the first two sessions.
Their disciplined bowling exploited the conditions, forcing the Australian batting line‑up to rely heavily on Steve Smith’s defiant 71. Smith, the penultimate wicket to fall, advanced down the pitch to meet a Mahmud delivery, only to top‑edge a high catch to wicketkeeper Litton Das. His innings featured seven fours and a six, but the partnership with the lower order could not stave off the collapse.
The day began positively for the home side when skipper Pat Cummins won the toss. Playing just his second Test in 13 months, Cummins reunited with the familiar trio of Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and veteran off‑spinner Nathan Lyon – the quartet long revered in Australia as the "Big Four". A partisan crowd cheered for Darwin‑born Weatherald, but he never truly settled and offered a simple edge to Mahmud, who seized the opportunity. Head fell shortly after, caught off a delivery that swung around the wicket, leaving Australia at 52 for two.
Ebadot claimed Marnus Labuschagne (1) with a catch taken by Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, and almost dismissed Smith early, though a chance at third slip was missed. The Bangladeshi bowlers continued to dominate the morning, restricting Australia to 74 for four before lunch, with all‑rounder Cameron Green (13) falling just before the interval. After the break, Ebadot removed Alex Carey (19) and Taskin dismissed Beau Webster (12). Mahmud then took the wickets of both Cummins (9) and Starc (1), wrapping up the innings after 53 overs with the scalps of Smith and Lyon.
Despite having their premier fast‑bowling unit back together, Australia could only manage a single wicket in Bangladesh’s reply. Mominul Haque (35) and Tanzid Hasan (32) forged an unbeaten 60‑run partnership, ensuring Bangladesh held a respectable lead. Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting, speaking on Channel 7, reflected on the state of the national side: "Look, what's the state of Australian cricket?
This has been a very, very successful cricket team. (But) right now, there are a couple of chinks in the armour and the selectors decided to stick with what they know. At the end of last season, I thought the time was right now to blood a couple of youngsters into these two Test matches.
I said (Campbell) Kellaway and (Ollie) Peake were the ones that I wanted to have. So they decided not to do that. But my worry is, when do they do that?
Are you going to debut these guys in South Africa against (Kagiso) Rabada and (Marco) Jansen and co? I think that would be a whole lot harder.
So I just feel there's an opportunity here that may have been missed." Bangladesh’s performance not only highlighted their growing competence in the longest format but also exposed vulnerabilities in an Australian side that has traditionally relied on its fast‑bowling might. The win gave the visitors confidence heading into the second innings and set up an intriguing contest for the remainder of the match. For Australia, the day served as a reminder that even a star‑studded attack must adapt to local conditions and that fresh talent may be essential to maintain dominance on the world stage.
As the series progresses, both teams will look to build on the foundations laid on day one. Bangladesh will aim to capitalize on their early momentum, while Australia will seek to regroup, tighten their bowling plans, and ensure their batting line‑up can withstand the disciplined seam attack that proved so effective in Darwin. The upcoming fixtures, including the high‑profile Ashes series, will test whether Australia can rebound quickly from this setback or if the cracks revealed by Bangladesh will widen further.