Australia struggling at 74-4 after 1st session of Top End cricket test series against Bangladesh

DARWIN, Australia (AP) — Bangladesh pacemen Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain exploited helpful Top End conditions to have Australia struggling at 74-4 after the first session of the Top End cricket series.

Mahmud struck in his sixth and seventh overs Thursday after had Australia raced to 45 without loss following skipper Pat Cummins' decision to bat first.

Darwin-born Jake Weatherald had a partisan crowd behind him but was never really settled on a green-tinged wicket and needlessly swiped at a widish ball from Mahmud ti be out for 23 from 37 deliveries.

His opener partner Travis Head (22) was out in Mahmud's next over, chopping on a delivery that was bowled from around the wicket as Australia slipped to 52-2.

Ebadot had Marnus Labuschagne caught by Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto and could have had the wicket of Steve Smith but for a dropped chance at third slip.

Allrounder Cameron Green (13) was out immediately before lunch as Bangladesh took a full toll on the opening morning of its first test match in Australia since 2003.

Steve Smith remained not out 7 at the first interval.

Australia skipper Pat Cummins, playing just his second test in 13 months, reunited in the pace attack with Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc. The frontline quicks will be supported by veteran offspinner Nathan Lyon and allrounders Green and Beau Webster.

The two-test “Top End” series will start a heavy 12-month schedule for the Australians that will feature 20 test matches, including tours to South Africa, India and England.

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

Australia's Travis Head bats against Bangladesh during their cricket test match in Darwin, Australia, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. (James Ross/AAP Image via AP)

Bangladesh's Taskin Ahmed bowls to Australia during their cricket test match in Darwin, Australia, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. (James Ross/AAP Image via AP)

Bangladesh's Hasan Mahmud, second left, celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Australia's Travis Head during their cricket test match in Darwin, Australia, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. (James Ross/AAP Image via AP)

Bangladesh's Ebadot Hossain, left, celebrates the dismissal of Marnus Labuschagne from Australia during their cricket test match in Darwin, Australia, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. (James Ross/AAP Image via AP)

Australia's Travis Head, right, walks off as Bangladesh players celebrates his wicket during their cricket test match in Darwin, Australia, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. (James Ross/AAP Image via AP)

MONTREAL (AP) — Defending champion Ben Shelton beat fellow American Learner Tien 6-2, 6-3 on Wednesday night to advance to the National Bank Open final.

The fifth-seeded Shelton will face Brandon Nakashima in an all-American final. The 28th-seeded Nakashima beat 19-year-old Rafael Jodar of Spain 7-6 (3), 6-4 in the first semifinal to reach his first ATP Masters 1000 final.

Shelton has six career victories, with the 23-year-old player winning this year in Dallas, Munich and Stuttgart.

“Super happy with the performance,” Shelton said. “Learner is a guy who presents me with a lot of problems in my game. A tough challenge to overcome. To get a win over him in the fashion that I did, I’m super pleased with that.”

The 20-year-old Tien was seeded 12th.

Nakashima won his lone tour title in 2022 in San Diego.

“Going into the tournament, I knew I was playing at a really high level, so I knew that I could get a go on a deep run here,” Nakashima said. “Obviously, wasn’t thinking about the final or anything."

AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

Brandon Nakashima of the United States reacts during his match against Rafael Jodar of Spain during a semifinal tennis match at the National Bank Open in Montreal, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)

Brandon Nakashima of the United States hits a return to Rafael Jodar of Spain during a semifinal tennis match at the National Bank Open in Montreal, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)

Ben Shelton of the United States reacts during his match against compatriot Learner Tien during a semifinal tennis match at the National Bank Open in Montreal on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)

Ben Shelton of the United States celebrates his win over compatriot Learner Tien during a semifinal tennis match at the National Bank Open in Montreal on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)

Ben Shelton of the United States serves to his compatriot Learner Tien during a semifinal tennis match at the National Bank Open in Montreal on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)