Out of action since June, star Bangladesh player '100% fit' ahead of Australia Test

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has confirmed that wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das is "100 percent fit" and available for the first Test against Australia in Darwin on Thursday. Shanto also indicated that Bangladesh could go in with two specialist spinners.

Das had been out of action since June with a left calf injury and was initially ruled out of the opening Test of the two-match series. However, he was later added to the squad and is now expected to play.

His return comes as a boost for Bangladesh, who lost their only warm-up match against a Cricket Australia XI by an innings and 38 runs.

"Litton gives us batting depth," Shanto told reporters. "He is consistent. We are hopeful of our batting unit doing well in the Test match."

The Test will be Bangladesh's first in Australia in 23 years. Their previous Test tour of the country came in 2003.

Bangladesh face an Australia side ranked No. 1 in the world and strengthened by the return of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon from injuries.

Shanto confirmed Das' availability but did not reveal the rest of Bangladesh's playing XI. He said the team would take another look at the Darwin pitch before making a final decision.

However, he suggested that Bangladesh could select both Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam as their frontline spinners.

"The surface looks good, I think we (might stick with our) normal combination, like two spinners and three seamers," Shanto said.

"But looking at the conditions, tomorrow we'll have a chance to see it again, and then we'll decide according to the conditions."

Bangladesh will be without fast bowlers Nahid Rana and Shoriful Islam because of injuries. Taskin Ahmed is expected to lead the pace attack, with at least two of Ebadot Hossain, Hasan Mahmud, Syed Khaled Ahmed and Musfik Hasan likely to join him.

Taskin said Bangladesh would miss Rana, who had impressed against Australia in the ODI series earlier this year.

"We're going to really miss them, especially Rana. He's a big threat nowadays in world cricket," admitted Taskin.

"But still, myself and some of the other bowlers have little bit of experience. So let's see how we do.

"It's a great opportunity for the bowlers playing in Australia. If Rana and Shoriful were here, it might be different, but still, we are hoping to do well."

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