Bangladesh’s historic nine-wicket victory over Australia in Darwin has left the hosts facing difficult questions, with some of Australia’s legends calling for changes to the Test side.
The defeat was Australia’s first against Bangladesh on home soil and came in a match where the visitors dominated for long periods. Bangladesh bowled Australia out for 198 in the first innings before making 426, securing a 228-run lead. The hosts were then dismissed for 284 in their second innings, leaving Bangladesh with a straightforward target of 57, the visitors completing the chase with nine wickets in hand.
For Mark Waugh, the result was difficult to put into perspective.
“This could possibly be the biggest upset I can remember in Australia,” Waugh said.
The former Australia batter compared Bangladesh’s victory with the West Indies’ famous win over Australia at the Gabba in January 2024, but felt this result was even more surprising.
“The West Indies beat Australia at the Gabba three or four years ago – that was an upset,” he said.
“But this one, given their best two bowlers, Nahid Rana and Shoriful Islam, are not playing, the Australian team back at full strength, it’s a big one, this one.”
The defeat has also strengthened calls for Australia to begin looking beyond its current batting combination. Ricky Ponting, speaking to Channel 7, described the result as a “very embarrassing defeat” and said the team may now need to start a regeneration process.
“Look, I’m the last one who wants to make a change. As a captain or as a player, I wanted to keep the group together,” Ponting said.
The former Australia captain said he had previously been reluctant to call for major changes, but felt there had already been enough evidence before the series to suggest that fresh faces could be introduced.
“It has to get to a bad point before I start saying you ought to leave somebody out. But there had been enough evidence for me coming here to suggest that they weren’t going to lose anything or much at all by starting that regeneration, by maybe bringing in another opener, by maybe bringing in someone at No. 3.”
“And I think if they lose here, then I think that has to happen,” he added.
Matthew Hayden also backed the idea of reshaping Australia’s batting order. He suggested that Sam Konstas and Matt Renshaw should be considered for recalls, while arguing that Travis Head would be better suited to batting further down the order.
“(Opening) is not (Head’s) best position. I think his best position is still at No. 5. I don’t like Alex Carey coming out at No. 5,” Hayden said.
Hayden believes Australia’s current combination does not look settled despite the depth available in the country’s domestic cricket.
“It just feels a little shaky and uncertain,” he said. “And why are we in this position? Australian cricket is so strong. It doesn’t need to be in that position, in my opinion.”
The former Australia opener, however, acknowledged that changing the side would not be a simple decision. Australia must weigh the immediate readiness of players against the potential of younger options.
“But who you pick, that’s a great question. Are you picking match-fit players or are you picking players on talent? Like Sammy Konstas, for example?” he said.
