Australian top-scorer Steve Smith says conditions were tough for batters on the opening day of their Test match against Bangladesh in Darwin as Australia were all out for 198, and Bangladesh made 1-96 in return. Smith top-scored with 71 after being granted an early life – a dropped catch at third slip – but had little support from the home side’s top order in this rare August Test on Australian soil.
The underrated Bangladesh bowlers maintained a superb line and length, hitting the wicket three times and capturing four caught-behind scalps. “I actually forgot how to hold the bat for my first 30 balls. I’m not going to lie,” Smith told Fox Cricket, referencing his lack of match practice leading into this clash. “Then I figured it out and felt really good. So, yeah, obviously I didn’t have many partners come with me today, unfortunately.
But that happens sometimes.” Under-the-pump Cameron Green was out for 13, Travis Head managed 22, Jake Weatherald looked good before nicking one behind on 23 and Marnus Labuschagne battled for one run off 20 balls. “It wasn’t easy. There wasn’t a heap of pace on the ball, and it was, you know, tacky and seaming around a bit. So it wasn’t easy,” Smith said. Smith believes the Australian bowlers will look for early breakthroughs on Friday morning.
“The boys looked at the wicket yesterday, and they said it was rock hard. And then today, when we rocked up there was a bit of dew on the ground, it felt softer. So hopefully, the same tomorrow, and you know, the ball starts talking a bit in the morning,” he said. Bangladesh will resume tomorrow with Mominul 35 and Tanzid 32 at the crease. But their first-day hero was bowler Hasan Mahmud, who captured 6-55.
Source: www.bing.com
