Clarke dominates slow day in Darwin

A captain's innings from Australian one-day player Michael Clarke saved the Northern Territory Chief Minister's XI from embarrassment on the first day of their four-day game against the Bangladeshis at Darwin's Marrara Oval today. It is Bangladesh's final warm-up match before their first Test against Australia at the same venue next Friday.

Clarke, who was co-opted into the Northern Territory XI along with fellow Australian representative Nathan Hauritz, scored 79 of his side's 189 runs. There was no time for Bangladesh to bat after the Chief Minister's side had been dismissed.

It was a tough grind for the home side. Relatively comfortable at 41 for 1, they were rocked by the loss of two quick wickets to end up at only 42 for 3 by lunch. Ian Redpath had dominated the early part of the innings after opening, but was out for 24 just before the break.

However, upon resumption, Clarke showed his mettle and defied the Bangladesh bowlers. Support came first from Ken Vowles and then from Darren Treumer, the vice-captain and wicketkeeper. Both made 20, while Hauritz chimed in with 17 not out as the tail was wrapped up.

Mashrafe Mortaza's right-arm medium pacers proved ideal for the conditions. He had Clarke caught by Mohammad Ashraful and then dismissed tailenders Adam Dent and Mark Hatton to finish with a creditable 3 for 28 from 15 overs. Khaled Mahmud also employed his medium-pace to good effect, taking three wickets.

The slow portable pitch made run-scoring extremely difficult, and Bangladesh's batsmen are likely to face a searching day with the bat tomorrow.

Bangladesh's coach Dav Whatmore said that he was pleased with the pressure his team applied during the morning session. "It's hard to continue with that [pressure] but to get them out for 189 is good. [But] it's going to be difficult to get those runs."

Clarke praised the Bangladesh team, who have yet to win a Test match in 19 attempts. "They bowled very well. They have got a very consistent bowling attack and I thought they bowled to their strengths."