Pat Cummins had no hesitation in opting to bat, but the decision suited Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, who liked the look of the surface.
"I think it is a good opportunity for the bowlers," he said.
"It looks a little green with a bit of moisture, so early on there will be some movement for the bowlers."
Bangladesh have chosen pace trio Taskin Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain and Hasan Mahmud to spearhead the attack with the new ball, while left-arm veteran Taijul Islam and allrounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz will provide the spin options.
Cummins named the side in batting order on Test eve, with paceman Scott Boland and wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis left out of the eleven.
Australia's pace trio of Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc play their first game together in 395 days.
Spinner Nathan Lyon is back from a hamstring injury for his first match since the Adelaide Test in last summer's Ashes series.
"It has been a long time coming, but we've had a great preparation," Cummins said.
The Test is the first played at the venue since 2004 and just the third in Darwin history after Bangladesh were the first visiting side in 2003.
Interest will centre on the rare split-pitch and how it plays, particularly on the first morning.
Head curator Jake Pavlich explained this week that the drop-in wicket had been prepared in metal trays in a compound and then split into two 12-metre sections when placed in the surface.
Spectators will note a line in the middle, but it won't impact the action.
"There will be a visible line, but it is flat." aesthetics," Pavlich said.
"There will be a visible line, but it is flat."
AUSTRALIA: Travis Head, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Beau Webster, Pat Cummins (capt), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
BANGLADESH: Tanzid Hasan, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Hasan Mahmud
14°C