Smith surprised by bold suggestion

Australia are well aware Bangladesh are no longer international cricketing easy-beats but captain Steve Smith couldn't help set the record straight over the hosts’ less-than-flattering Test results. 

Asked by a local reporter if it surprised him there had been suggestions of a 2-0 series sweep by Bangladesh, an astute Smith was quick to point out the Tigers had little to show from 17 years of playing Test cricket.  

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"That's pretty confident. I think Bangladesh have only won nine of 100 games," the skipper noted.

"It's very confident. They're obviously confident in their skill set at the moment. 

"They're at home, most teams play well at home, Bangladesh have been playing well at home. It’s going to be a good challenge for us."

Who exactly had suggested Bangladesh would win in both Dhaka and Chittagong remains a mystery, though star allrounder Shakib al Hasan this week described the Tigers as "unbeatable" on their home patch.

Captain Mushfiqur Rahim, who along with Shakib will play his 50th Test in Dhaka, was more diplomatic ahead of Australia's first Test in the South Asian republic in more than a decade.

“It is hard to say who's favourite," Mushfiqur told reporters.

"We have more experience of these conditions than them, but they may also know how to play here. 

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"They won the first Test against India earlier this year. I think the two teams have a 50-50 chance in this Test match. 

"We have a relatively inexperienced bowling line-up than theirs. I think they have some experienced batsmen and bowlers."

While the majority of Australia's 14-man touring party took the day before the series-opener to reboot after a tough week of training, Smith made the most of an optional session with an extended hit in the nets on Saturday.

Mushfiqur coolly noted batting in the caged practiced facilities at Sher-e Bangla National Stadium  – which Australia have praised repeatedly this week – is not the same as batting in the heat of a Test.

The tourists' best chance of replicating those pressures – a two-day tour match originally scheduled for Tuesday this week - were washed away by monsoonal rain and it remains to be seen whether a few subcontinental cobwebs could open the door for Bangladesh to claim Test win No.10.

Smith spoke of the dangers posed by the veteran Shakib and left-arm quick Mustafizur Rahman, but teenage off-spinner Mehedi Hasan looms as a potential bogeyman for Australia's top-order.

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With Smith confirming Usman Khawaja would return to bat at first drop below openers David Warner and Matt Renshaw, Australia’s top three will all be left-handers.

That’s likely to have Mehedi, who Bangladesh have routinely opened the bowling with in his seven Tests, rubbing his hands together in delight, and footage of the young gun's 12-wicket haul that spun the Tigers to a famous victory against England in October is sure to have been studied by the Australians. 

Bangladesh could play up to three spinners on a worn Mirpur pitch and although conditions will undoubtedly suit the home side, Smith hopes to take advantage of the fact none of their opponents have ever played a Test against Australia. 

"They're good players and very experienced players as well," the 28-year-old said. 

"They've never played a Test match against us before, so I guess that'll be an exciting challenge for those guys. 

"We know what to expect and we've got a few plans in place for them. Hopefully we can keep them quiet through this series."

Australia in Bangladesh 2017

Australia squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Ashton Agar, Jackson Bird, Hilton Cartwright, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Renshaw, Mitchell Swepson, Matthew Wade.

Bangladesh squad: Mushfiqur Rahim (c), Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Imrul Kayes, Shakib Al Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Sabbir Rahman, Nasir Hossain, Liton Das, Taskin Ahmed, Shafiul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Taijul Islam, Mominul Haque.

22-23 August Tour match, washed out

27-31 August First Test, Dhaka

4-8 September Second Test, Chittagong