Shanto Sends Strong Message Ahead of Bangladesh-Australia Test

Bangladesh's return to Australia has opened with an awkward question: can a side dismissed for 54 against a Cricket Australia XI survive Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood?

Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto thinks so. He has backed his batters to handle the extra bounce and pace when the first Test begins in Darwin on Thursday.

The confidence sounds bold, especially after the practice-match collapse. Bangladesh were bowled out for 54 against the Cricket Australia XI, immediately raising doubts about their readiness for conditions they have not faced on Australian soil since 2003. Shanto has rejected that reading.

He said Bangladesh had spent around 10 to 12 days preparing in Darwin and had also worked on bouncy surfaces at home during the past few months. His message was simple: survive the new ball, stay focused and bat for long periods.

That will be easier said than done. Australia have named a formidable attack, with Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon available together. Hazlewood's return gives the hosts another experienced seam option, while the Darwin surface is expected to offer assistance to both batters and bowlers.

Shanto backs batting despite 54-run collapse

The Bangladesh vs Australia Test series carries extra weight for the visitors because of their recent rise in the World Test Championship. Bangladesh sit fourth in the current cycle after beating Pakistan 2-0 in May, a sharp improvement from their seventh-place finish in the previous cycle.

They also defeated Australia 2-1 in an ODI series in June, giving Bangladesh valuable experience against quicker conditions.

Still, Test cricket is a different fight. The warm-up result has already handed Australia a psychological edge, even if practice matches can produce misleading conclusions. Bangladesh now have to prove that the collapse was a bad day rather than a sign of a deeper batting problem.

Shanto believes his side has improved, particularly with the ball. He also indicated Bangladesh could field both Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam alongside three fast bowlers, putting the Darwin surface under another spotlight.

Mehidy arrives with confidence after scoring a century in the tour match. Litton Das has also been cleared to play after recovering from a calf injury, giving Bangladesh another experienced option in the middle order.

The pressure remains obvious. Bangladesh's only Test win against Australia came in 2017, while they have never won a Test on Australian soil.

For Najmul Hossain Shanto, the challenge is now personal as captain. He has talked up preparation and progress. The opening session in Darwin will reveal whether that confidence can withstand Australia's new-ball attack.

A second collapse would change the conversation quickly. The 54 would stop looking like an ugly warm-up score and start looking like a warning.