Bangladesh suffer innings defeat, but receive positive Taijul injury update

Bangladesh suffered a crushing innings-and-38-run defeat against Cricket Australia XI in the lone three-day warm-up game in Darwin today, just days before the start of their two-match Test series against Australia.

The visitors’ preparations took another blow as they were bowled out for just 54 in their second innings on the third and final day, adding only 35 runs to their overnight score of 19 for two.

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Cricket Australia XI had taken a 92-run first-innings lead on the second day, scoring 355 in response to Bangladesh’s 263. Bangladesh had lost opener Shadman Islam and experienced batter Mominul Haque yesterday, before their batting completely unravelled on the final day.

Overnight batter Tanzid Tamim’s 41-ball 22 was Bangladesh’s highest score, with none of the other batters reaching double figures. The depth of the batting woes, a worrying sign ahead of the Test series, was further highlighted by the fact that Shadman, Mominul, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz all managed only six runs each -- the next-best individual scores after Tamim.

For Cricket Australia XI, Campbell Thompson took eight wickets for 25 runs in 11 overs, including two maidens.

Amid the heavy defeat, however, Bangladesh received some encouraging news regarding Taijul Islam, who injured a finger while batting on the opening day.

National team physio Bayjedul Islam said the left-arm spinner’s condition had improved significantly and expressed confidence that he would be fit for the first Test.

“Taijul’s pain, due to the injury on Day 1, and swelling have reduced significantly. There are still five days till the first Test, so we have four days to work on his injury. So, we are expecting that he will be totally fine and available for the first Test by this time,” Bayjedul said in a video message provided by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) today.

The first Test begins in Darwin on August 13, with the second and final match starting in Mackay on August 22.