DARWIN: Bangladesh suffered a heavy defeat in their only warm-up match before a two-Test series against Australia, folding for 54 to lose by an innings and 38 runs to a Cricket Australia XI in Darwin on Saturday.
Young fast bowler Campbell Thompson claimed 8-25 from 11 overs as the hosts dismissed Bangladesh before lunch on the third and final day, raising concerns ahead of the tourists’ series against the world’s top-ranked Test side.
Bangladesh, who made 263 in their first innings, were dismissed for just 54 after the CA XI responded with 355.
Opener Tanzid Hasan top-scored for Bangladesh with 22, with the rest of the batting lineup struggling against Thompson’s pace and movement.
The 22-year-old Thompson, who had played only one previous first-class match, said he focused on making the most of the new ball.
To clean it up this morning, I had a clear process — just try to use the new ball, swing it and hit the stumps,” Thompson said. “I was lucky enough to get a few wickets.”
Bangladesh will now turn their attention to the two-Test series, with the opening match also scheduled in Darwin next week.
They face a formidable Australia pace attack led by captain Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, making the tourists’ batting performance in the warm-up a significant concern ahead of the series.
