Australia vs Bangladesh: Five things we learned from the first Test

Bangladesh arrived in Australia for their first Test tour of the country in 23 years facing one of the toughest assignments in international cricket, but quickly demonstrated why they cannot be underestimated.

Hasan Mahmud starred with the ball, Steve Smith once again carried much of Australia's batting burden and several players produced performances that could shape the remainder of the series.

With attention now turning towards the second Test in Mackay, here are five things we learned from the series opener.

Hasan Mahmud can cause Australia serious problems

If Australia did not already know about the threat posed by Hasan Mahmud, they certainly do now.

The Bangladesh fast bowler produced one of the performances of his Test career in Darwin, taking six wickets as Australia were dismissed for just 198 in their first innings.

Hasan finished with figures of 6-55, repeatedly troubling Australia's batters and ensuring Bangladesh seized control during a remarkable opening day.

Producing that kind of performance away from home is particularly significant. Conditions in Australia present a very different challenge to those Bangladesh regularly encounter in Asia, but Hasan demonstrated he has the pace and control to remain dangerous.

Australia will now have considerably more information on the 26-year-old heading into the second Test, but knowing where the threat is coming from does not necessarily make it easier to stop.

How the hosts adjust their approach against Hasan could be one of the most interesting battles to watch in Mackay.

Steve Smith remains Australia's safety net

Australia's first innings could have looked considerably worse without Steve Smith.

While wickets fell around him, the former captain produced a crucial 71 to give his side something to defend and once again showed his value when Australia found themselves under pressure.

Smith has spent much of his career being the player Australia turn to when an innings begins to unravel, and Darwin provided another example.

His ability to absorb pressure and build an innings contrasted with the struggles elsewhere in the Australian batting order.

That will encourage Australia heading into the second Test, but they will not want to be so dependent on Smith again.

If Bangladesh can remove him cheaply in Mackay, the evidence from Darwin suggests they could expose Australia's batting order once more.

Bangladesh are not in Australia just to make up the numbers

Bangladesh's return to Test cricket in Australia was always going to attract attention.

This is their first Test tour of the country since 2003, meaning an entire generation of Bangladesh players have reached international cricket without experiencing a Test series in Australia.

That lack of familiarity could easily have resulted in a difficult start to the tour.

Instead, Bangladesh showed immediately that they are capable of putting Australia under significant pressure in their own conditions.

Hasan's bowling was the headline performance, but Bangladesh's overall competitiveness should give them confidence that they can challenge throughout the series.

With World Test Championship points also available, this is about considerably more than simply gaining experience in Australian conditions.

Bangladesh have an opportunity to make a major statement.

Australia's batting cannot afford another collapse

Being dismissed for 198 on home soil will inevitably raise questions for Australia.

There is no shame in losing wickets to an inspired spell of fast bowling, but the manner in which Bangladesh were able to work through the Australian order will be a concern ahead of the second Test.

Smith's 71 provided the resistance Australia desperately needed, but there was not enough support around him to prevent Bangladesh from gaining the upper hand.

The challenge in Mackay will be responding quickly.

Australia now have first-hand experience of Bangladesh's attack and will have the opportunity to adjust, particularly against Hasan.

Another low first-innings total, however, could hand Bangladesh the belief they need to produce an historic result on Australian soil.

The second Test in Mackay has become even more intriguing

Before the series began, much of the attention naturally surrounded Bangladesh's return to Australia after a 23-year absence.

The events of the opening Test have ensured the cricket itself is now the biggest story heading into Mackay.

Australia have seen first-hand the threat Bangladesh possess, while the visitors have evidence that their attack can trouble some of the world's best batters in Australian conditions.

That creates several fascinating battles for the second Test.

Can Hasan Mahmud produce another major performance? Can Australia's batting order respond? And will Steve Smith once again be required to lead the resistance?

With valuable World Test Championship points at stake, there is plenty riding on the final match of the series.

The second Test will take place in Mackay as Australia and Bangladesh bring their two-match series to a conclusion.

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