Days before Bangladesh’s first Test match in Australia since 2003, coach Phil Simmons was heard shouting, “I want all of you to give me 40-50 balls each in the match,” at his tailenders during a practice session at the Marrara Oval. The intensity of his instruction was highlighted when he scolded Hasan Mahmud for a poorly executed shot, yelling, “HASANNN…That’s out..” before summoning the young fast bowler for a stern discussion. This tough love proved prophetic on Friday, as Hasan transformed his practice discipline into a vital performance that helped cement Bangladesh’s dominance in the opening Test.
The significance of Hasan’s contribution became clear when he arrived at the crease during a precarious phase. Bangladesh had suffered a mini-collapse, losing three key wickets for just 11 runs. Although the visitors maintained a lead exceeding 100 runs, the sudden loss of momentum threatened to invite Australia back into the contest. Facing a hostile environment with a packed slip cordon and a rejuvenated Pat Cummins, Hasan initially struggled to find his rhythm. However, he eventually settled in, demonstrating the grit his coach demanded by facing 76 deliveries and forging an unbeaten 43-run partnership with Mehidy Hasan Miraz. This stand, which spanned 147 balls, was the third-longest of the innings and effectively stifled the Australian charge.
Beyond the immediate scoreboard pressure, the partnership kept the Australian bowlers toiling in the sapping heat. This display of defiance is rare for visiting teams at this venue, particularly one that has not played a Test in Australia for nearly 25 years. By the end of the second day, Bangladesh had successfully claimed five out of the six sessions played, with the post-tea period being the only one potentially shared. Australia has been forced to play catch-up since the dismissal of Jake Weatherald early on the first day, raising significant questions about the current composition and form of the Australian side.
Despite the lack of assistance from the Marrara Oval surface, Australia’s pace trio and spinner Nathan Lyon maintained a relentless effort throughout the day. They managed a brief resurgence with the second new-ball, but they were unable to break the game open in the manner they typically do on home soil. Even against the aggressive approach of England’s “Bazballers” last year, the Australian attack had shown more potency. Bangladesh’s methodical, old-school approach to building partnerships has provided a blueprint for how to challenge this Australian lineup.
Not since India’s dominant performance in the 2018-19 summer has an opposition team looked as commanding with the bat against the Australian quartet. While Australia’s focus remains on their upcoming tour of South Africa in October, other nations like New Zealand are likely observing these developments closely as they prepare for their own four-Test series later this year. The current match has not only highlighted the significant progress of Bangladesh as a Test-playing nation but has also cast a critical light on the current standing of the Australian team on the global stage.
And his admonishing tone was justified, considering he’d only a few minutes earlier yelled out, “I want all of you to give me 40-50 balls each in the match,” at the tailenders who he’d intentionally asked to pad up first
To really understand just how vital the 76 deliveries Hasan faced late on Friday were to the visitors’ overall cause, we need to dial back to the point he’d walked out to bat.
Though still already more than a 100 runs ahead, this mini-collapse had threatened to let the home team back into the Test in via the backdoor.
And his admonishing tone was justified, considering he’d only a few minutes earlier yelled out, “I want all of you to give me 40-50 balls each in the match,” at the tailenders who he’d intentionally asked to pad up first for a hit.
He’d then even summon Hasan for a quick headmasterly chat before letting his young fast bowler having another go.
It was the classic Australian cauldron setting.
This was also Cummins at his rip-roaring best, when he gets the bit between his teeth and tears apart opposition batting line-ups and matches.
And even though it didn’t start promisingly for Hasan, as he edged and played-and-missed his way out of danger, the youngster’s gumption, and his coach’s orders, really started to come to the fore as he started to hold off the Australian charge.
While the practical purpose it served was keeping the Australians on the field for much longer in the sapping heat, this was also part of the pure defiance very rarely seen from an opposition team on these shores, let alone one that’s been kept away from here for nearly two-and-a-half decades.
Which also means that Australia are yet to get their noses into the contest and have continued to play catch-up pretty much from the time Jake Weatherald fell within two minutes of the first drinks break on Thursday morning.
For all the deserving applause that has come Bangladesh’s way from around the world what does it say about Australia though?
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