Dbarta24 Sports desk — Bangladesh’s tour of Australia got off to a nightmare start as the visitors suffered a humiliating innings and 38-run defeat against Cricket Australia XI in their three-day warm-up match at Marrara Oval on Saturday.
In what can only be described as an unmitigated batting disaster, the Tigers were bundled out for a paltry 54 in their second innings, handing the host side a commanding victory with plenty of time to spare.
The loss serves as a stark wake-up call for Najmul Hossain Shanto’s side ahead of the upcoming two-Test series against Australia’s elite bowling lineup featuring Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc.
Unheralded Thompson Tormenting the Tigers
Resuming the final day at a precarious 19 for 2, trailing by 73 runs after CA XI posted 355 in response to Bangladesh’s first-innings total of 263, the visitors needed a disciplined performance to salvage a draw.
Instead, they collapsed dramatically, losing their remaining eight wickets in just 17 overs on Day 3.
The architect of Bangladesh’s destruction was 22-year-old left-arm pacer Campbell Thompson, an unheralded fast bowler with just two first-class appearances to his name.
Thompson turned in a career-defining spell, picking up 8 wickets for just 25 runs. Off-spinner Corey Rocchiccioli claimed the remaining two wickets for six runs.
Opening batter Tanzid Hasan was the solitary Bangladesh batter to reach double figures, scoring 22 off 41 balls.
The rest of the batting lineup folded effortlessly: top-order and middle-order stalwarts including skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto, Taskin Ahmed, and Ebadot Hossain all departed for ducks, while experienced campaigner Mushfiqur Rahim managed just 2.
Red Flags Ahead of Test Series
While Mehidy Hasan Miraz provided a bright spot in the first innings with a fighting century, the team’s complete vulnerability to bounce and seam movement was thoroughly exposed in the second essay.
The top order’s inability to withstand a second-string opposition attack raises severe concerns for the coaching staff. Bangladesh will need to address these technical and psychological frailties rapidly before facing Australia’s world-class pace attack.
The two-match Test series is scheduled to kick off in Darwin on August 13, followed by the second Test in Mackay starting August 22.
Brief Scorecard
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Bangladesh First Innings: 263 all out (Mehidy Hasan Miraz 100*)
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Cricket Australia XI First Innings: 355 all out (Lead: 92 runs)
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Bangladesh Second Innings: 54 all out in 24.1 overs (Tanzid Hasan 22, Mehidy 6; Campbell Thompson 8/25, Corey Rocchiccioli 2/6)
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Result: Cricket Australia XI won by an innings and 38 runs.