Sydney Aug 17:
Australia’s shock Test defeat to Bangladesh has drawn sharp criticism from former players and experts, with several describing the result as one of the most embarrassing setbacks in the country’s recent cricket history.
Former Australia batter Mark Waugh labelled the nine-wicket defeat a potentially historic upset, arguing that Australia had paid the price for being below their best.
“The Australians have been off their game and they have paid the price,” Waugh said on Fox Sports, while highlighting the contrast between Australia’s standing in world cricket and Bangladesh’s historic victory.
Waugh also suggested that Australia could consider changes to their batting line-up ahead of the second Test, although former leg-spinner Kerry O’Keeffe expected the team management to resist making immediate knee-jerk changes.
O’Keeffe indicated that Marnus Labuschagne and Sam Weatherald were likely to receive another opportunity in the second Test.
Former Australia women’s captain Alyssa Healy viewed the defeat as a much-needed warning for the team after a highly successful previous summer.
“We have got carried away with how big this summer is but this is a wake-up call for Australia,” Healy said, stressing that the setback should prompt the side to reassess areas that need improvement.Former opener David Warner, meanwhile, backed Australia to respond strongly in the second Test, saying the players would be deeply disappointed by their performance but would remain focused on bouncing back.
Warner said the defeat would hurt because Australia are expected to dominate Test cricket on home soil, adding that the players themselves would be more frustrated by their performance than concerned about the outside noise.Former Australia fast bowler Trent Copeland was even more scathing, calling the result “completely unacceptable” for the world’s top-ranked Test side.
“When you are in your own conditions… you cannot lose to Bangladesh in Australia in a Test match,” Copeland said on SEN Radio, describing the result as both embarrassing and unacceptable.