Bangladesh have created history by completing a stunning nine-wicket win over Australia in the first Test at Darwin’s Marrara Oval on Sunday, securing their first victory on Australian soil and only their second Test triumph against the top-ranked side.The visitors’ victory was built around a dominant all-round performance, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz playing a decisive role with both bat and ball. After contributing a crucial half-century in Bangladesh’s first innings, Mehidy claimed five wickets in Australia’s second innings to ensure the hosts could set only a modest target.Australia, resuming at 161-4 on Day 4, were eventually bowled out for 284, leaving Bangladesh needing just 57 runs for victory.Cameron Green provided Australia’s biggest resistance, producing his third Test century and first on home soil. The allrounder made a composed 104 from 201 balls, but his efforts could not prevent Australia from suffering a historic defeat.Bangladesh briefly endured some nerves during the chase when Josh Hazlewood, who finished with 1-5, dismissed first-innings centurion Tanzid Hasan for a duck. However, Shadman Islam and Mominul Haque remained unbeaten on 25 and 30 respectively to take Bangladesh over the line in just 14.2 overs.The victory sparked wild celebrations among the Bangladesh supporters gathered behind the team’s dugout on the boundary.Bangladesh had been in control for much of the Test after Australia captain Pat Cummins won the toss and chose to bat. The hosts were dismissed for 198 in their first innings, with Steve Smith’s 71 the top score.Bangladesh then took full advantage as batting conditions improved, piling up 426 to secure a substantial 228-run first-innings lead.Australia needed something special in their second innings to turn the contest around, and Green’s century offered them hope. But Mehidy’s spell eventually ended those hopes and pushed Bangladesh towards a landmark victory.Mehidy was at the centre of Australia’s collapse on Day 4. After beginning the day with the visitors still unable to completely close the door on Australia, the offspinner produced a decisive spell either side of lunch.He first removed Alex Carey for 30, with Litton Das taking the catch behind the stumps. Mehidy then produced a delivery that straightened past Beau Webster’s bat and struck the top of off stump, leaving Australia at 193-6 and still 35 runs behind.Cummins could add only eight before he offered a catch to Hasan Miraz at short leg, giving Mehidy his third wicket of the morning.The spinner completed his five-wicket haul when Nathan Lyon was trapped leg before wicket, bringing Australia’s innings to an end at 284. Mehidy finished with figures of 5-66.Green had remained Australia’s biggest obstacle throughout the innings, combining with the lower order to prevent the hosts from suffering an innings defeat.The allrounder reached his century after lunch, bringing up the milestone from 192 balls with four boundaries and a six. Despite the significance of the achievement, Green’s celebration was subdued given Australia’s position.The century was particularly noteworthy as it came in his 37th Test and was his first in Australia. Green has faced repeated questions over his place in the Australian side, but his determined innings represented one of his finest performances for the team.His resistance finally ended when Hasan Mahmud delivered a ball that stayed low and bowled him for 104. Hasan finished with 3-56.The defeat is a major setback for Australia and one of the most embarrassing home reverses in the team’s 149-year Test history. It is also likely to intensify scrutiny on the selectors, with Australia now facing pressure to make changes before the second Test in Mackay, Queensland, which begins on August 22.For Bangladesh, the result marks only their second Test victory over Australia, following their maiden win in Dhaka in 2017.The two-match ‘Top End’ series is also the beginning of an exceptionally demanding 12-month period for Australia, with the team scheduled to play 20 Tests, including tours to South Africa, India and England.
