Cummins admits Australia were outplayed and leaves selection open after shock loss to Bangladesh
Australia captain Pat Cummins admitted his side were outplayed after a shock nine-wicket defeat to Bangladesh in Darwin in the first Test on Sunday, August 16, 2026, and said he would not rule out making changes ahead of the second Test in Mackay on August 22. He indicated selectors and coaches would discuss the side’s composition over the coming days.
Australia had taken a full-strength squad into the match and were widely expected to win after Bangladesh lost their only warm-up to a Cricket Australia XI, but Bangladesh produced a markedly different performance in the Test. Top-order failures from Jake Weatherald and Marnus Labuschagne compounded selection questions, including whether having both all-rounders Beau Webster and Cameron Green was optimal. Green and Webster were largely innocuous with the ball, although Green made a gritty century in the second innings. Bangladesh’s first innings total of 426 left Australia’s bowlers operating in Darwin’s heat and humidity for 138 overs.
Mr. Cummins acknowledged the batting problems and flagged selection as a live issue, saying "It's one test but it's also a little bit of a trend as well," and adding, “I think that's the question over the next couple of days that we'll sit down and have a think about.” He also posed the selection dilemma directly: Mr. Cummins said "Is there something there that's going to take us forward, or is it something that's starting to become a trend that we think needs to be changed."
On the bowling options and conditions in Mackay, Cummins mentioned squad depth and specific players, saying, "We all know how good (Scott Boland) is so we'll turn up there (Mackay) and we'll have a look at the pitch and work out our best bowling group," and added, "But someone like Scotty in the squad, you're always trying to find a way to fit him in." He reported confidence in the bowlers' recovery after the match: "I think, you know, we'll wait. I think all the bowlers pulled up pretty well after this game."
Cummins conceded Bangladesh had been superior across the match and recounted the difficulties Australia faced, saying, "They were a much better side than us this week," and, "I thought they outplayed us in all facets, really." He described Bangladesh's approach and its impact on momentum: "They were really patient, just didn't really let us back in, held onto their catches. I felt like we just didn't get off to a great start and kind of once you are behind on a pretty good wicket against a pretty good side, it was kind of really hard to wrestle the momentum back." The Australian squad had been training in Brisbane for the last six weeks before the series.
The two teams meet again in Mackay on August 22 for the second Test, with Australia set to review the Darwin defeat and finalise any selection changes before that match.
