Arabic version: بنغلادش تفاجئ أستراليا في اختبار داروين

According to The Guardian, Bangladesh’s victory over Australia in the first Test in Darwin represented an extraordinary upset in international cricket. The result came despite the disparity in the teams’ resources and histories, and despite Bangladesh having only nine away Test wins in their history before the match.

Bangladesh had played just six Tests against Australia since joining the Test ranks in 2000, with only two held in Australia. Their players, apart from three survivors from the 2015 World Cup squad, had never faced or bowled an international delivery in Australia before this tour.

Australia entered the contest with four bowlers who had taken more than 1,600 Test wickets and a top seven containing 66 centuries and more than 25,000 runs. Bangladesh nevertheless won without losing a session across the four days. The visitors had previously been bowled out for 54 in a warm-up match against a Cricket Australia emerging talent XI.

The Guardian reported that Australia’s players could not be accused of complacency. Cameron Green made a century that briefly offered hope of a recovery, while the Australian attack produced effective new-ball spells and old-ball discipline. But Bangladesh were judged to have been the better side and moved Australia from top spot in the World Test Championship.

The teams will meet again in Mackay for the second Test. The Darwin result has also renewed attention on Bangladesh’s limited opportunities against major opponents, including their long gaps between Test matches in Australia and England.