Ahead of the second Test of the series in Mackay, former Australian cricketer Jason Gillespie spoke to India’s Times of India about the defeat. The former fast bowler gave Bangladesh full credit for their impressive performance in Darwin.
“Pat Cummins’ captaincy was fine, but Australia didn’t bat well in the first innings. Bangladesh were the better team throughout the match. They played old-fashioned, patient Test cricket,” Gillespie said.
Of the players who featured in Australia’s XI for the first Test, only Cameron Green was under 30. Australia took the field in Darwin with one of the oldest teams in its history, prompting some to call for younger players to be brought into the side as replacements for the veterans.
Gillespie believes Australia will need to start doing exactly that.
“Australia will bounce back strongly in the Mackay Test. But this is an ageing team, and the selectors will need to bring new players into the squad over the next six to 12 months. Australia will come back strongly in the second Test. The Mackay pitch should be very good for batting,” he said.
Australia’s pace attack in the first Test featured Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, with all three having taken more than 300 Test wickets. Yet even against such an experienced bowling unit, Bangladesh posted 426 in their first innings and put Australia firmly on the back foot.
Gillespie, however, still praised Australia’s bowlers.
“They were outstanding. I thought they bowled quite well in the first Test. But Bangladesh batted really, really well. If Australia can bowl in the same way again, they will have a better chance of doing well against Bangladesh,” he said.
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