Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons was left deeply disappointed after his batting unit suffered a stunning collapse against the Cricket Australia XI, with the visitors bowled out for just 54 in their second innings in Darwin on Saturday.A remarkable spell from 22-year-old left-arm seamer Campbell Thompson, who returned figures of 8 for 25, ripped through Bangladesh’s batting line-up as the visitors lost the three-day practice match by an innings and 38 runs.Bangladesh had made 263 in their first innings, before the CA XI responded with 355. But any confidence gained from their first-innings performance quickly disappeared as Bangladesh’s second innings lasted only 22 overs, with opener Tanzid Hasan’s 22 the only score above 10.Simmons did not hide his frustration after the collapse.“I think we let ourselves down with the bat in this practice match, and you look at how we got out and it wasn’t nice,” Simmons said.The Bangladesh coach, however, insisted there was still enough time to address the problems before the first Test against Australia begins on August 13.“I think that we have three [four] days to work on what we have to do properly in the Test match,” Simmons said. “And I trust that the guys are going to put in the work over these next three days to get us where we want to be for that Test match.”
Thompson’s eight-wicket burst exposes Bangladesh’s flaws
Bangladesh resumed their second innings with two wickets already down and quickly found themselves in deeper trouble as Thompson continued the damage he had started late on the previous evening.The South Australian took the first five wickets of the morning before eventually finishing with extraordinary figures of 8-25. He dismissed Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto for a duck and wrapped up the innings by taking the final two wickets with successive deliveries.Thompson had just one first-class appearance before the practice game but seized his opportunity against a Test side.“Sometimes you get lucky. It fell my way today, which was nice. It’s always a good experience and opportunity to come and play up against a Test side a few days out from a series. Then to play alongside experienced Aussie guys as well, like Kurtis Patterson and Corey Rocchiccioli and stuff like that. So, just involving myself around these guys has been awesome,” Thompson said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.For Bangladesh, the collapse comes just days before they face Australia’s formidable pace attack.
Simmons wants Bangladesh to move on
Despite the heavy defeat, Simmons urged his players to quickly put the result behind them and focus on the Test series.“Disappointing match, but we move on and we look forward to the Test match,” he said.There was also positive news regarding left-arm spinner Taijul Islam, who suffered a finger injury after being struck while batting on the opening day.Bangladesh team physio Bayjedul Islam Khan said the injury was improving.“The injury that Taijul sustained while batting day before yesterday is much better now, both swelling and pain have decreased,” he said. “The first Test is still five days away so we have four days in our hand. I am totally expecting he will be available by that time.”Bangladesh will now have little time to regroup before the first Test, which begins on August 13 in Darwin. The series marks their first Test visit to Australia in 23 years.
