Australia have some big decisions ahead over the next 48 hours as the Test cricket squad heads to Chittagong to attempt to level the series against Bangladesh in the 2nd Test match starting Monday. Licking their wounds from a humbling defeat, Australia will be looking to find a winning combination to recover some pride, and some confidence, ahead of a long summer of cricket.
Some described the loss as embarrassing but that’s hardly fair. Australia have a poor record in the sub-continent and Bangladesh are an emerging team with some talented players. They are also very adept to the conditions which favoured them enormously. Australia had no answer to the turning low-ball track in Dhaka, with only David Warner able to muster any resistance with a superb century in the second innings. Matt Renshaw and Ashton Agar made 40’s in the first dig, while the rest were a bit of a shambles.
Australia have won just one test in Asia in the past five years, and when you break down experience on the high-pressure stage of Test cricket, the Bangladeshi top order actually have 31 more Tests experience under ther belt than the Australian batting lineup. Even though it was the first time Bangladesh had ever defeated Australia in a Test match, was it really such an upset?
Usman Khawaja failed miserably in his return to the Test team at first drop. He looked nervous and played worse. However the selectors need to keep faith with this guy. He is pure class and his wristy technique should work in Asian conditions. A bit more time in the middle will pay dividends so I’m expecting to see him bounce back.
There have been talks about replacing keeper Matthew Wade who conceded a disastrous 30 byes in the first Test and failed twice with the bat. Peter Handscomb could take the gloves which would allow another batsman to play. It would be an aggressive approach, but it has some merit.
The one enforced change to the Aussies will be for Josh Hazelwood who succumbed to a side strain. Selectors opted to send over tweaker Steve O’Keefe as a replacement, which means that Pat Cummins and Jackson Bird are the only specialist quicks in the entire squad. It’s a far cry from the four-pronged pace attack that was being touted for the Ashes. If the selectors leave Bird on the sidelines again, then it’s likely that all-rounder Hilton Cartwright gets a look in to share the new ball and boost the batting.
Meanwhile the home team will be full of confidence heading to Chittagong and hoping to see another dustbowl to bamboozle the overpaid Aussies. Tamim Iqbal was the rock at the top of the order with a pair of valuable half centuries, while Shakib Al Hasan followed up an 84 in the first innings with ten wickets in the match in a brilliant performance.
As good as Bangladesh were to get the victory, the 1st Test came back to the Australians inability to score. If Australia can actually post a big target then they should have the firepower with the ball to defend it. Winning the toss is so crucial. If Australia can win the toss and get first use of the wicket, then they are capable of putting up a score that should secure them the win. While I thought Australia were too short in the first Test, I think the price for them to win the second Test provides enough value for a play, as long as they win the toss. Get your trigger finger ready when the coin is in the air!
TIP: Australia to win 2nd Test - $2.02 at Sportsbet (as long as Aus win the toss)
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