Australia def Bangladesh in second Test Talking Points, analysis, bowling attack carrying side as batters fail again, Marnus Labuschagne future

Australia responded brilliantly to the debacle in Darwin by mauling Bangladesh in Mackay, with the innings and 51 run victory within two days squaring what proved to be an intriguing series following the upset in the first Test.

But even in triumph the questions are swirling about the Australian team given the dearth of first innings runs in both Darwin and Mackay from the Australians, with only Cameron Green and Steve Smith delivering with the bat.

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PLAYER RATINGS: Every Aussie analysed from the Bangladesh series

A handy cameo from Nathan Lyon, who had criticised batters for getting out to “shit shots” in Darwin and later claimed three wickets, helped Australia set a target that proved too much for Bangladesh to make the hosts bat again in Mackay.

It is the first time Bangladesh, which played with great discipline and verve when causing a massive upset in Darwin, has been bowled out for less than 100 in both innings in a Test, with Mitchell Starc superb as the Man of the Match.

It was, as former Australian captain Allan Border said, “a dominant performance” by the Aussies, with the victory ensuring they have not lost a series since the 2023 Border-Gavaskar Tour of India.

“It was a great performance from the Australians from the very first ball of the Test match to the last ball of the Test match,” Border said.

But the brilliance of Starc, who started the Test with a wicket on the first ball on the way to snaring 10 wickets, may prove the end for Marnus Labuschagne, who did not get the chance to bat again after an unlucky first innings dismissal.

When quizzed about the make up for the squad for the South African squad in October, captain Pat Cummins said; “I don’t reckon I can guarantee anyone, really.”

While the Mackay Test was too brief for the fans who made it a sell out on both days, there was much to discuss, with foxsports.com.au canvassing the Talking Points for the series.

The response that had to happen

It is indisputable that the champion Australian bowling attack carried the nation to victory in Mackay in what was a sharply improved performance with the ball, if not the bat.

Mitch Starc sizzled in the tropical sunshine in northern Queensland, Pat Cummins was a step closer to his best, Nathan Lyon was on form in his brief opportunity and Josh Hazlewood, the pick of the bowlers in Darwin, was solid yet again.

“It is a different tune this week compared to last week. The men in the Baggy Green have certainly flexed their muscles that you are allowed to have a bad one occasionally, but it is how you respond, how you react,” Gilchrist said.

It was an encouraging performance given the series to come against South Africa, New Zealand, India and the Ashes, with a 150th Anniversary Test at the MCG against England and potential World Test Championship final in the mix as well.

It is scarcely a surprise they were a little rusty in Darwin given Hazlewood missed the entirety of the Ashes and Cummins and Lyon were barely present as the Aussies’ second choice attack – Starc and Scott Boland aside – put England to the sword.

But the Mackay mauling served a reminder of just how destructive the quartet of champions can be when at their peak and, even more encouragingly, the three fast bowlers felt comfortable in backing up after what was an arduous opening in the NT.

Former Australian captain Alyssa Healy noted the attack was tactically sharper as well, with the trio of fast bowlers opting to introduce a bouncer on occasion to create uncertainty in their rivals, which clearly flummoxed the Tigers.

She also noted the calmness that followed the Darwin Test, for while the Aussies jettisoned Jake Weatherald, they were confident in their ability to rebound.

Not for nothing are they the No.1 ranked Test team and the triumph in Mackay means the Aussies now need five wins and a draw from the 12 Tests to come against South Africa, New Zealand and India to again qualify for the WTC final at The Oval.

“Pat Cummins summed it up between Test matches when he said there was no real panic,” Healy said.

“Obviously they made the change with Jake Weatherald but he was quite in perspective when saying that ‘I know we have high expectations and we want to win every game we are a part of, but we are allowed to lost’. It is just we aren’t used to seeing an Australian team lose a Test match. I think you often learn a little bit more from your losses and I think they bounced back beautifully.”

But what happens now

The debate surrounding the squad for South Africa was on in earnest after the Darwin loss and the victory in Mackay has not quietened the discussion given the difficulties endured by the top order once again.

Marnus Labuschagne is under immense pressure to hold his spot, while there are concerns about the balance of the Aussie top order amid calls for Steve Smith to move to No.3 and for selectors to allow Travis Head to slide back down the order.

Pat Cummins, who had been enthusiastic about the Queenslander’s form in the nets, was pressed after the innings’ triumph as to whether Labuschagne had done enough to return to the land of his birth for the three Test tour.

He’s not scored the runs he would have liked. I did say a couple of days ago that he’s been batting fantastically well off the field, but it doesn’t mean much. You’ve got to convert that into runs out there.

“Going into this series, we thought he was pretty close to his best, but he needs to start transferring that into runs out there.”

The skipper has no doubt Australia need to improve with the bat in hand for the challenges ahead after posting first innings scores of just 198 and 210 in the series against the Tigers.

“I think we were a bit below par (with the bat) in both Test matches,” he said.

“(There were) a couple of shining lights. Someone like ‘Greeny’ had an awesome series. Every time he batted he looked really solid.

“(But) I think we could’ve extended that lead (on Saturday) and really taken the game away from them, put on a 250-plus lead. That goes for me as well. I’m one of the batting group. (We needed) to find a way to weather the storm when they had a little run of wickets.”

The top order dilemma has divided the Fox Cricket experts, with some calling for immediate change while others are backing the status quo given the widespread acknowledgement that the tour of South Africa will be especially difficult.

Exacerbating the issue is the fact there is no further red-ball cricket before the three Test tour against the reigning World Test champions, who currently sit second in the race for the WTC Final behind Australia.

The Aussies will play white-ball cricket in Zimbabwe and South Africa prior to the tour, while an Australian A squad is set to visit India at the same stage, which could prove critical to the make-up of the squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy tour.

It is worth noting the star fast bowlers Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins all said they would play at least a couple of those white ball games, which ensures the attack will be sharp for South Africa. But as for the batting group? It remains to be seen.

Cummins was among those to say after the win in Mackay that he was keen to play in a couple of matches, with selectors due to meet next month to finalise squads.

“We’ve got a bit of time (and) the selectors will get together in the next week or two and start nutting out that next Test squad,” Cummins said.

Both Healy and Gilchrist believe a case can be made to introduce new talent into the top order while the champion bowling attack is still firing given whoever is introduced cannot do any worse than the current incumbents in some positions.

“They’re failing at the moment, which is we’ve spoken a lot about, so really, to bring in the next generation now, if they fail, it doesn’t make a huge difference,” she said.

“But what the key in that change now is that at the moment our bowling attack is as good as it’s ever been and, yes, they’re ageing … but while they’re good, while they’re fit, while they’re still holding this team together, you can afford to make those batting changes because they’re currently holding this team up.

“But as soon as they start to have a few niggles, or injuries start to creep in, or some start to retire, for instance, if they’re making those batting changes then and having bowling changes at the same time, it is going to make it a really tricky task for the Australian team. So I just believe if … they’re even thinking about making changes right now, do it while (the) bowling (attack is strong).”

Among those nominated as prospective Test cricketers include Victorian pair Campbell Kellaway and Ollie Peak and tried-and-tested players including Nathan McSweeney, Sam Konstas and Cooper Connolly.

Josh Inglis, who has been the reserve batter for the Bangladesh series, is considered better placed as a middle-order batter but will hold his spot as the reserve wickekeeper at the very least.

But Gilchrist believes the timing of introducing fresh talent is something the Aussies selectors will be weighing up.

“The (point about the) batting worries and the timing of big decisions is very well made,” he said.

“While this bowling unit is still firing, they are not going to be here forever and they have definitely kept Australia alive in a lot of matches and a lot of series in recent times. The batting has probably fallen a little bit short, so if there is an opportunity to get new talent in, not necessarily based on results at Shield level, maybe it is now.”

The case to retain the status quo

Mike Hussey is being eyed off by England to become its batting coach in an Ashes year, but Mr Cricket has been close to the fold of the Australian team in recent years as well.

Scarcely a summer goes by where Hussey is not delivering throw downs in the nets in Perth while offering some quiet encouragement or advice before joining the Fox Cricket coverage.

While the spotlight is understandably on the Australian top order after first innings scores of just 198 and 210 against Bangladesh, Hussey is adamant this is the best the nation has got.

With a series against South Africa just over six weeks away preceding New Zealand’s visit in December, which finishes just before the away tour of India, Australia needs to improve.

Despite Marnus Labuschagne failing again in the first innings, though admittedly the Queenslander was extremely unlucky, Hussey is adamant he is a required player.

But Hussey would elevate Labuschagne, who has averaged less than 25 for his past 20 Tests, to open alongside Matt Renshaw and slide Travis Head back down the order.

“I think Matt Renshaw’s a good fit at the top of the order. I’m moving Marnus Labuschagne up from three,” Hussey said on Kayo Sports’ Big Break.

“I know everyone else out there seems to want to get rid of Marnus Labuschagne but I’m going against the grain.

“I’m keeping him and the reason I’m keeping him is because I just think that we know that he’s a world-class player. He’s not been at his best for a fair while now (and) we’ve got to somehow find a way (to help him back to his best). And the other thing is, okay, who is going to replace him in the team?”

Fellow Fox Cricket expert analysts Mark Waugh and Kerry O’Keeffe offered up their Australian XIs on the first day of the Test with some similarities to Hussey.

Waugh said it is time to “bite the bullet” and O’Keeffe would elevate Campbell Kellaway to open alongside Renshaw and believes that Ollie Peake and Cooper Connolly should be considered down the order, potentially in place of Tasmanian all-rounder Beau Webster.

But Hussey, who made massive runs for Western Australia before debuting for Australia in his 30s, is far from convinced the regeneration of the Australian top order should start with a testing series against South Africa, saying it could cause more damage than good.

“I would just let them develop at Sheffield Shield for another year. Let them have a massive season for their states,” he said on Fox Cricket.

“(Let them) do really well … and pick them when they’re ready (because) at the moment, they’re not.

“Ollie Peake is averaging 23 in first class cricket. Campbell Kellaway is averaging 26. Are we setting them up for success or are we setting them up for failure? This is the Australian team. I am not rolling the dice.

“We’ve got tough cricket coming up: South Africa, New Zealand, India, England. If you’re going to put these guys in when they’re not ready, you’re not setting them up for success in the long term.”

But how many chances does an out of form batter deserve?

How many lives does Labuschagne get?

If he is to survive and make the cut for South Africa, there would be very few who would argue that he has not expired at least eight of his nine lives, so to speak.

Labuschagne is out of runs. But is the rest of what he offers enough to persevere in the hope he can reclaim the form that, as Pat Cummins said, once saw him rated the world’s best batsman?

Whenever his teammates are quizzed for the social media clips that buzz around the internet, they identify the energetic Queenslander as a menace given his perpetual chatter.

“Even just bumping into him last night and just talking cricket – we got stuck there for a little bit as he was chewing our ear off about cricket – but it has been quite remarkable and that is all part of it,” Healy said.

“You lose confidence here and there and you worry about what is unfolding, but having that self-confidence helps you then take the next step to getting the job done.”

But he is also perpetually optimistic, superb in the field and diligent in trying to find his mojo. His attitude is first class, even if his batting at the moment is below Test class for a No.3.

“He has certainly remained consistent, Marnus, in character,” Gilchrist said.

“He has not shied away from all the discussion swirling around about the lack of runs. He has admitted he has not got there. Even pre-game when you are out on the field and there are so many various broadcasters … he is always happy to come up and have a chat.

“He had a long session in the nets again this morning. Clearly he just loves it. Some players when you are not going so well, and I was one of them, when you are not going so well, you can hide away in your shell, hide away a fraction, stay away from people and don’t have to have those awkward conversations. But he is front and centre every day.”

Magical Mackay proves a venue fit for the five ring circus

The Aussie quartet’s return to business as usual after blowing out the cobwebs in Darwin meant that it was “bad for business” for both Bangladesh and the length of the second Test.

For the fourth time in the past 20 Tests in Australia, the match was finished before stumps on Day 2 and that, as Mark Waugh noted, has an impact on the coffers of Cricket Australia and the companies including Fox Cricket that have paid for the broadcast rights.

Only the Bangladeshis were arguing there were any concerns about the pitch at Great Barrier Reef Arena, with captain Najmul Hossain Shanto saying it was extremely difficult to bat on.

“It was quite difficult for all the batters. If you look at their batting, they also struggled. It was a quite difficult wicket to bat on, to be very honest,” he said.

But that was more due to the quality of the Aussie bowling rather than any real demons in the deck, with Waugh blaming the inability of the batsmen to negate good deliveries or tough spells as the main issue.

“The pitches, there is no doubt about it, they have got more spicy in Australia,” Waugh said.

“But I don’t think the batsmen have been willing to occupy the crease. It is more a ‘Lets get runs before I get out. Get them quick before I get a good one.’”

If Marrara Oval received praise last week, the reception afforded Mackay was arguably even more positive despite the shortened Test with fans and pundits alike offering applause.

Healy, who has played plenty of cricket at the ground, said she was delighted the men have had the opportunity to play a Test in Mackay.

“It is genuinely one of our favourite places to play … because you always get a good ground and there’s always a good wicket,” she told foxsports.com.au. “The atmosphere was awesome, so I’m glad that they brought Test Cricket up here. It was nice to see the big boys out here playing because these guys don’t get to see them very often, especially in the Test format.

“I mean, everyone was speaking about how great the ground looked and being here in person, I feel like (there was) a great feel, a great buzz around the city as a whole. I think it’s a win for cricket up here.”

With the Gabba set to be replaced by a new stadium in Brisbane for the 2032 Olympics, Mackay is set to play an important role in coming years.

With cricket returning to the Olympics for the Los Angeles Games, and an imprimatur in Queensland for regional cities to play a part in 2032, Healy said she believed Games officials were in town scouting the venue this week.

“I did hear that there were some Olympic officials maybe coming to check it out,” she said.

“I know the Gabba is the home of cricket in Brisbane but I think that we’ve shown, and not just here in Queensland but around Australia as a whole, that there’s other venues that can host quality cricket.

“In my personal opinion, it’s a great place to play and as a fan watching here and working, it’s a great place to watch as well. It’s been fantastic.”

Amid an increasingly crowded calendar due to the growth of franchise cricket, Hussey said the northern exposure could work favourably for the red ball game.

“I think they should come up more often, the Australian team, and play Test cricket,” he said. “The facilities up here are first class. The ground is in immaculate condition. The nets are very good. It is very well supported up here. The weather is great at this time of the year as well. I think it is a brilliant Test venue.

“I think it means we can play more Test cricket. Being able to play Test cricket in August in Australia opens up a little window there when normally we are just playing November, December into the start of January. I love it. I think it is fantastic.”

The venue received a tick of approval from the Australians, who likened the pitch to that on offer at the Gabba.

“It is a slightly different feel, just to be in different stadiums to what we’re used to in the middle of summer, but (it was) really well supported by so many people out there,” Cummins said.

“I think the conditions both weeks have been excellent. They were really Test quality conditions, so yeah, no complaints. We’ve loved it. Hopefully we get back up here at some point.”