{
  "id": 704832,
  "title": "Out of action since June, star Bangladesh player '100% fit' ahead of Australia Test",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/out-of-action-since-june-star-bangladesh-player-100-fit-ahead-of",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-12T22:18:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/action-since-june-star-bangladesh-221800509.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das is fully recovered from his left calf injury and is ready to face Australia in the first Test at Darwin, according to team captain Najmul Hossain Shanto. Das, who had been sidelined since June, was added to the squad for the upcoming match and is expected to play, providing valuable batting depth for the team. The Test will mark Bangladesh's first appearance in Australia in 23 years, following their last tour in 2003. Facing a world No. 1 team featuring Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon, Shanto hinted at a possible selection of both Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam as the team's primary spinners after assessing the pitch conditions in Darwin. The squad will be without fast bowlers Nahid Rana and Shoriful Islam due to injuries, with Taskin Ahmed set to spearhead the pace attack, supported by Ebadot Hossain, Hasan Mahmud, Syed Khaled Ahmed, and Musfik Hasan. Despite missing Rana and Shoriful, Shanto expressed confidence in the team's ability to perform well, acknowledging that it would be a significant challenge for the bowlers to face Australia without the injured duo.",
  "summary": "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.",
  "key_points": [
    "Litton Das recovered from left calf injury, fit for Australia Test",
    "Bangladesh returns to Australia in 23 years for first Test",
    "Taskin Ahmed to lead pace attack, Rana and Shoriful absent"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 6,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Sydney Morning Herald",
        "title": "Test cricket LIVE: D-day for Green against Bangladesh, as the English lift midnight curfew",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/13/test-cricket-live-d-day-for-green-against-bangladesh-as-the-english",
        "published": "2026-08-13T00:44:55.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Age",
        "title": "Test cricket LIVE: D-day for Green against Bangladesh, as the English lift midnight curfew",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/13/test-cricket-live-d-day-for-green-against-bangladesh-as-the-english-715089",
        "published": "2026-08-13T00:44:55.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "ESPNcricinfo",
        "title": "Australia bat first in Darwin, Bangladesh play Ebadot and Mahmud",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/13/australia-bat-first-in-darwin-bangladesh-play-ebadot-and-mahmud",
        "published": "2026-08-13T00:47:17.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Sport",
        "title": "Bangladesh dominate Australia despite Smith reprieve",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/13/bangladesh-dominate-australia-despite-smith-reprieve",
        "published": "2026-08-13T13:39:57.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Times of India",
        "title": "'You’re not in Bangladesh now': Starc, Mehidy Hasan clash during Darwin Test - Watch",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/youre-not-in-bangladesh-now-starc-mehidy-hasan-clash-during-darwin",
        "published": "2026-08-14T10:51:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}