Australian Media Tries To Get Under Bangladesh's Skin Before 1st Test

Bangladesh captain mocked in Australia [Source: AFP]The Australian media is known for its strong opinions and often uncompromising coverage of international cricket, particularly when it comes to visiting teams. Having previously targeted England and even Team India players on occasion, the local media ‘Down Under’ has now taken a brutal swipe at Bangladeshi skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto. While speaking with the reporters on the eve of the first Test in Darwin, Shanto was asked if the match will “last three days or five?” The sarcastic question was an indirect dig to Bangladesh’s recent practice match performance, where they succumbed to a huge defeat in just two days and a session to an Australia B team.Australian reporter trolls Bangladesh captain after 54 collapseOne particular Australian reporter recently took an indirect dig at the visiting Bangladesh cricket team by asking their skipper if the upcoming first Test will last three days or five in Darwin.Seemingly trolling Bangladesh for their dismal performance in the recently-concluded three-day warm-up match, captain Najmul Hossain Shanto remained professional in his response by saying “We want to play till the fifth day, take it session by session. There will always be discussion about whether we can take it to the fifth day. As players we want to take it to the fifth day.”Also Read- Australia Had 3 World Cups! Things That Didn't Exist When Bangladesh Last Played A Test Down UnderWhen asked how the Bangladesh team will tackle the bouncy wickets in Darwin and Mackay, the visiting captain responded that several Bangladeshi players have already been training on similar surfaces over the past few months at home. Najmul Hossain Shanto added that the Bangladesh team had an off-day in the warm-up match, and explained that they have had poor outings in practice games before. However, Shanto is confident of an improved Bangladesh performance in the upcoming two-match Test series, and stated that his team is intending to bat for longer durations.He said “The bounce is the key but we have been preparing on bouncy wickets at home in the last few months. That gives us a little bit more of an idea. Here, there will be bounce, and we are well prepared having arrived 10 or 12 days before the Test. We have had [poor outings] in practice matches before. This came in the preparation phase. We can have a bad day, but I think we have prepared ourselves pretty well. We are confident that we will play some good cricket. We have to try to bat for longer periods.”Bangladesh Cricket @BCBtigers Pre-Series Media Conference: Najmul Hossain Shanto, Captain, Bangladesh Australia 🆚 Bangladesh Test Series 2026 Darwin, Australia Video Courtesy: Cricket Australia #BCB #Tigers #Bangladesh #Cricket #Australia Aug 12, 2026, 2:16 PM How did Bangladesh fare in warm-up match vs CA XIBangladesh started off its two-match Test tour of Australia with a three-day warm-up match in Darwin last week. Batting first against Cricket Australia XI, the visitors conjured 263 fighting runs from 75.5 overs with an unbeaten century from Mehidy Hasan Miraz.Bangladesh bowlers, barring Hasan Mahmud (4-42), struggled to contain CA XI batters as the hosts mounted a healthy first innings lead of 92 runs.In response, the Bangladesh team got blown away for just 54 in 22 overs early on Day 3, with opener Tanzid Hasan himself scoring 22 of those runs. Uncapped Australian pacer Campbell Thompson, who played just one first-class match before in his career, bulldozed the visitors with scintillating figures of 8-25.Bangladesh hope to bounce back on historic return to AustraliaThe Bangladesh cricket team is on its first Test trip to Australia after a gap of 23 years. Still reeling from their batting collapse in Darwin, the visitors will be hoping for a quick turnaround if they are to survive the daunting challenge that awaits them ‘Down Under’.The first Test of the series will be hosted by the Marrara Oval in Darwin between August 13 and August 17.Also Read- Why Cameron Green Has Become Australia's Biggest Test Gamble