Litton, Taijul come in as Bangladesh sent to bowl first

Bangladesh lost the toss and were sent to bowl first against Australia in the first Test of the two-match series at the Marrara Stadium in Darwin on Thursday.

Bangladesh’s buildup to the match has been underwhelming, having lost the three-day tour match against a Cricket Australia XI by an innings and 38 runs.

The experienced Litton Das has recovered in time to strengthen the batting line-up and has been drafted into the XI for the first Test.

In the absence of Nahid Rana, who has been ruled out of the series due to injury, Ebadot Hossain will join Hasan Mahmud and Taskin Ahmed in a three-pronged pace attack.

Taijul Islam has also recovered from a swollen finger to get picked and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who scored a century in the tour game, will bat at No.7.

The hosts had announced their playing XI a day before and will have the heavyweight pace trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchel Starc and Josh Hazelwood playing for them, alongside the returning Nathan Lyon.

But at first, Bangladesh will have to try and contain the Australian batters, starting with aggressive opener Travis Head.  

This is Bangladesh’s first Test match on Australian soil in 23 years.

Bangladesh: Tanzid Hasan, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Hasan Mahmud

Australia:  Travis Head, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Beau Webster, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood