Darwin: Left-arm pacer Campbell Thompson wreaked havoc as Cricket Australia XI defeated Bangladesh by an innings and 38 runs in a practice match. Bangladesh were bowled out for just 54 in the second innings just five days before the start of the Test series against Australia.
Thompson, a 22-year-old fast bowler from South Australia, took eight wickets for 25 runs in 11 overs, almost single-handedly destroying Bangladesh’s batting. His performance has raised questions about the visiting team’s preparations.
Thompson took two wickets at the end of the second day of the match to reduce Bangladesh’s second innings score to 19 for 2. He then took six more wickets on Friday morning to bundle out Bangladesh for 54 runs.
“My obvious approach to finishing it this morning was to use the new ball, swing it and bowl at the stumps. I was lucky to get a few wickets,” Thompson said after the match.
“In the second innings, we had to bowl a little shorter than in the first innings. So, the main aim was to pull the ball back a little and target the top of the stumps and keep our process clear,” he said.
“I think I’m a new-ball bowler. So I try to swing the ball and hit the stumps and I was lucky this time,” Thompson said.
Thompson is recently returning from a hamstring injury. He has only one first-class match to his name, but with this impressive performance, he justified his selection in the team.
Off-spinner Corey Rocchioli also played a key role in Australia XI’s victory. He took six wickets in the first innings and returned two wickets in the second innings, conceding just six runs in four overs.
Earlier, Teg Wyllie had put the Australian XI in a strong position with a superb innings of 130. Excellent bowling from Thompson and Rocchioli secured a memorable victory.
Match Brief Scores:
Cricket Australia XI 355 (Tegg Wylie 130, David Doran 76, James Patterson 53; Mahmud 4/42) beat Bangladesh 263 (Mehidy Hasan Miraz 109 not out; Corey Rocchioli 6/83) and 54 (Campbell Thompson 8/25) by an innings and 38 runs.