Australia's Thompson takes 8/25 as Bangladesh collapse for 54 in Darwin warm-up
- Thompson took 8/25, his best first-class figures, as Bangladesh were bowled out for 54 in the second innings.
- Bangladesh lost the three-day tour match by an innings, with coach Simmons admitting the team let themselves down.
- The collapse raises concerns ahead of the Test series, though Mehidy Hasan is working on tactical adjustments.
- Australia's bowlers exploited conditions effectively, with the match ending inside two days in Darwin.
Darwin, August 8: Australia's pace bowler Josh Thompson produced a stunning spell of 8/25 to skittle Bangladesh for a paltry 54 in their second innings, handing the home side a comprehensive innings victory in the three-day tour match at Darwin's Marrara Cricket Ground.
The match, which served as a warm-up for the upcoming Test series, ended inside two days. Bangladesh, after conceding a massive first-innings lead, never recovered as Thompson ran through the batting order with pace and movement that left the tourists clueless.
One-sided contest from the start
Australia, batting first, piled on a commanding total before declaring. Bangladesh's first innings response was modest, and despite a brief resistance, the visitors were bowled out well short of the home side's total. Forced to follow on, Bangladesh's second innings turned into a procession of wickets as Thompson tore through the middle and lower order.
The 8/25 figures are the best of Thompson's first-class career, surpassing his previous best. His accuracy and ability to extract bounce from the Darwin pitch made him unplayable, with several batsmen edging to the cordon or having their stumps rattled.
Simmons admits failure
Bangladesh coach Phil Simmons did not hide his disappointment after the match. "We let ourselves down," he said, referring to the shocking collapse. Simmons acknowledged that the batting display was far below the standard required at Test level, especially ahead of a challenging series against Australia.
He stressed that the team would need to regroup quickly and address technical flaws before the first Test. "There are no excuses. We have to own this and move forward," Simmons added.
Thompson's rise continues
Thompson, who has been on the fringes of the national side, made a strong case for selection with this performance. His ability to generate late movement troubled the Bangladesh batsmen consistently. The conditions at Darwin, often offering pace and carry, suited his style perfectly.
His figures of 8/25 were the standout performance of the match, and the Australian camp will be pleased with the depth in their pace attack. With the Test series looming, Thompson's effort puts pressure on the existing pace unit to perform.
Mehidy's tactical shift
On the Bangladesh side, all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz has been working on adjusting his tactics, with reports suggesting he is focusing on a more patient approach against Australian bowlers. His preparation has been noted by the coaching staff, who believe his experience will be crucial in the Test series.
Mehidy's ability to contribute with both bat and ball will be vital for Bangladesh, especially after this batting collapse. His recent efforts in the nets indicate a deliberate strategy to counter Australia's pace attack.
The match ended well within the allotted three days, raising questions about Bangladesh's readiness for the longer format. The team management is expected to hold review sessions before the first Test, which begins later this month.
With the series now just weeks away, Bangladesh will need to put this defeat behind them quickly. The focus shifts to the first Test, where the visitors will hope for a much-improved showing against an Australian side brimming with confidence.