Fast bowler Campbell Thompson exposed the fragility of the Bangladesh batting order with a stunning eight-wicket haul. The 22-year-old South Australia left-armer took 8-25 off just 11 overs for the Cricket Australia XI in Darwin, dismissing Bangladesh for just 54 in their second innings.
The innings lasted only 22 overs after Bangladesh had made 263 in their first dig. The CA XI responded with 355, setting up an innings-and-38-run victory.
Concerns ahead of Tests
Bangladesh’s heavy loss does not augur well for the upcoming two Tests in Darwin and Mackay, where they will face a full-strength Australian bowling line-up. Thompson had played just one first-class match previously, taking three wickets for South Australia against Queensland.
His performance in the Top End has given him a boost ahead of a summer where he should get plenty more cricket.
Thompson’s reaction
“We cleaned it up this morning and we had a clear process to use the new ball, swing it and hit the stumps. I was lucky to pick up a few wickets,” a modest Thompson said. He certainly wasn’t expecting to take eight.
“Not really to be honest, but sometimes you get lucky and it went my way today which was nice,” he said. “It is always a good experience to come and play against a Test side.”
“It is a nice wicket. There was enough in it early on day one with the ball and played steady throughout the whole three days. There were good runs scored.”
Injury recovery
Thompson’s 2025/26 season was curtailed in February when he was injured in a One-Day Cup match. “I tore my hamstring so I had about a month left of the season to rehab that and all off-season and pre-season,” he said. “We have heaps of staff back home that helped me get that right.”
“The opportunity to bowl against the best batters in Australia gave me good experience heading into this year.”
Offspinner Corey Rocchiccioli picked up 2-6 to go with his 6-83 in the first innings. Bangladesh opener Tanzid Hasan (22) was the sole batter to reach double figures.
