Top-ranked side and table-toppers Australia crashed to a humiliating 9-wicket loss inside 4 days against Bangladesh as the visitors came up against the odds to upstage them after playing in Australia after 23 years. Australia had their moments here and there, but they were outplayed in all facets of the game by Bangladesh. Bangladesh practically won every session and Australia were not allowed to make a comeback at all if we are being brutally honest. There were reasons why Australia lost the first Test match and we will try and enlist them for you here.
Australia’s batting misery in the first innings proves to be decisive
Australia won the toss and decided to bat first on a greenish pitch. But the move backfired eventually. There were starts from the players like the openers got 20s while Steve Smith was the standout in the first innings with his 71. But the rest of the batting around him was a disaster in the first innings. First innings runs are important and Australia fell way short of that, not making even 200 runs.
The two openers got into the 20s, but got out as well. The likes of Cameron Green and Alex Carey in the first innings got into double figures faced a few balls and got dismissed. Beau Webster did not hang about as well. The tail did not wag as the Aussies might have expected it to be as Smith was left high and dry without any support from the other end.
Australia improved their batting in the second innings, but they have to improve by leaps and bounds to come back in this series. Bangladesh won’t give the match on a platter, Australia will have to play well to bounce back and win that Test in Mackay. So, Australia will want big runs and not just starts and getting out. Yes, Green got a ton in the second innings of the match, but he has to keep that going and show consistency. This will be a test of character for the Aussies.
Nathan Lyon’s form is a huge concern for Australia heading into the second Test
Australia bowled decently on the pitch that got better to bat as the game progressed. While the fast bowled bowled their hearts out with Josh Hazlewood picking up 6 wickets and Mitchell Starc picking up 2 wickets. But the biggest concern or talking point was the performance of Nathan Lyon the premier off-spinner for Australia. Lyon looked less threatening and easy to negotiate for the Bangladesh batters. That was the most shocking part if we are being brutally honest.
Lyon bowled 31 overs and gave away 102 runs and picked up only one wicket. That one wicket was a gift given by Bangladesh as Tanzid Hasan threw his wicket away. So, Lyon did not get a wicket off good bowling. So, that is the real concern for Australia. With talks about Australia going with Scott Boland and with Hazlewood getting 6 wickets, it is Lyon’s position that is under some threat if we look at it. Yes, he has had a great career with 568 Test matches, but once a permanent member of the side now finds himself out of the side we can say.
So, we have to wait and see whether these rumours are true or not but Lyon will be hoping he gets a game in Mackay with Australia 0-1 down in the series. Lyon will hope to do well and show what a champion bowler he is when he turns up in Mackay. In the second innings, he had no choice but to try different things and search for wickets, so we are not judging his second innings bowling. The first innings bowling was concerning as the Bangladesh off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz outbowled Lyon.
One hopes Lyon gets his mojo back soon.
Lack of preparation and casualness exposed Australia
Another factor that contributed to Australia’s loss was their overall attitude and preparation coming into this game. Australia did not play any competitive red ball game before this match. They played match simulation and were casual about it. They were arrogant as well and took Bangladesh a little lightly and that exposed and cost them dear. The overall attitude was they would turn up and get a routine win and Bangladesh shocked them and caught them cold if we are being honest.
Bangladesh, on the other hand, played a warm-up game and though they were bowled out for 54 in the second innings, they were battle hardened and were well prepared for the series ahead. Australia looked rusty which was understandable since they were coming off a long layoff. But more than anything, the attitude really irked many Australian media persons. Australia were switched off at the wrong moment and were not allowed to make a comeback either.
Come the next Test in Mackay, Australia will come back hard and try to bounce back. They will have better plans in place and will have to be at their best to upstage Bangladesh since the Tigers will be buoyant and come at the Australians even more. They will definitely be better prepared to handle Bangladesh and won’t be casual about it like they were in Darwin. Australia will want that and look to bounce back strongly as well.
What Lies Ahead
The stage is set for an intriguing second Test match in Mackay from Saturday, 22nd August, onwards. Bangladesh would like to create history and win the match and series 2-0 while Australia will be hurting and bounce back to level the series 1-1. Which way is it going to go in Test 2? We shall find that out soon.
Also Read: AUS vs BAN: Tanzid Hasan’s Historic Ton Stuns Australia