Bangladesh suffered a major setback ahead of their two-Test series against Australia, collapsing for just 54 as a Cricket Australia XI secured a crushing innings-and-38-run victory in Darwin on Saturday.
The tourists were bowled out before lunch on the third and final day of their only warm-up match, with South Australia left-arm paceman Campbell Thompson producing a stunning eight-wicket haul to expose Bangladesh’s batting frailties just five days before the Test series opener.
Thompson claimed 8-25 from 11 overs, including six wickets on Saturday after striking twice late on day two to leave Bangladesh struggling at 2-19 in their second innings.
The 22-year-old, who had played only one first-class match before the game, repeatedly found the right length and movement to dismantle Bangladesh’s lower order.
“To clean it up this morning, I had a clear process — just try to use the new ball, swing it and hit the stumps, and I was lucky enough to get a few wickets,” Thompson said after the match.
“I feel like I’m a new-ball bowler, so I’m just trying to swing the ball and hit the stumps, and I got lucky this time.”
Bangladesh resumed on 2-19, needing a major recovery after the CA XI had established a 92-run first-innings lead.
Instead, their innings unravelled rapidly. Opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim offered the only meaningful resistance, making 22, but the rest of the batting lineup failed to cope with the home side’s attack.
Bangladesh had made 263 in their first innings, but Teague Wyllie’s rapid 130 helped the CA XI reach 355, putting the visitors under pressure before the second innings had even begun.
Thompson was the headline act on the final day, but the hosts’ victory was built on a strong all-round bowling effort. Western Australia off-spinner Corey Rocchiccioli, who claimed six wickets in the first innings, added another two for just six runs from four overs in the second innings.
Rocchiccioli and Thompson combined to finish off Bangladesh in emphatic fashion, as the visitors lost their final eight wickets for just 35 runs.
For Bangladesh, the defeat could hardly have come at a more difficult time. Their next assignment is against the full-strength Australian side, led by the formidable pace trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.
The two-Test series begins in Darwin next week, with Bangladesh now facing serious questions over their batting technique and ability to handle pace and movement in Australian conditions.
The warm-up match was intended to provide valuable preparation for the Tigers’ first Test series in Australia in 23 years. Instead, the three-day defeat has provided a sobering reminder of the challenge awaiting them.