Australia's Test cricket summer off to disastrous start as Bangladesh stun top order in Darwin

Australia’s Test summer began disastrously after Bangladesh ripped through the hosts’ under-pressure top order in Darwin.

Pat Cummins’ side stumbled to 4-74 at lunch on Thursday after electing to bat first at Marrara Stadium.

Jake Weatherald, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green all fell during a nightmare opening session against the ninth-ranked Test nation.

Green’s dismissal on the stroke of lunch capped Australia’s collapse. He was caught at mid-wicket after a slower delivery from Taskin Ahmed produced a leading edge.

The all-rounder had entered the match under pressure after managing a Test batting average of 32.75 across 37 appearances.

His failure came after he said greater responsibility had often produced his best cricket.

Cameron Green departed on the stroke of lunch, leaving Australia reeling at 4-74 after choosing to bat first

Bangladesh’s seamers exploited a two-paced Marrara Stadium surface after Pat Cummins elected to bat in Darwin’s first Test match

‘I think I’ve always played better cricket when there’s been a bit more responsibility (on me),’ Green said before the Test.

‘That’s certainly the case when I go back to play for WA.

‘I think being “the guy” – the guy they’re trying to get out, and it’s on you to score the runs for the team – that’s always, I feel like, brought out the best in me.’

Head was dismissed for 22 after striking Hasan Mahmud through cover for four. The bowler responded immediately, bringing his length back and forcing an inside edge onto leg stump.

Labuschagne then endured a troubled 20-ball innings before pushing at an Ebadot Hossain delivery he could have left. The resulting edge was safely taken at second slip.

The Queenslander entered the series averaging 26.61 across his previous 20 Tests and had not recorded a Test century in more than 1,100 days.

Steve Smith was handed two major reprieves. He was dropped on two before surviving a Bangladesh review, despite appearing to believe he had edged Hossain behind on seven.

Snicko showed no spike, allowing Smith to remain at the crease and raising fresh questions about the technology after DRS audio was repeatedly questioned during the Ashes.

Former Test opener Ed Cowan had warned before the match that Australia’s struggling batters faced increased scrutiny against lower-ranked opposition. 

‘If you’re in the Australian Test team, and not performing regularly, there is just nowhere to hide,’ he said.