Australia during Darwin Test vs Bangladesh | Source- AFP
Australia faced a shambolic nine-wicket defeat in Darwin against Bangladesh, which opened Pandora's box for the Pat Cummins and company.
Despite Steve Smith’s anchoring knock and Cameron Green’s masterclass, Australia’s batting turned out to be the biggest concern for the number-one-ranked Test team in the world.
In the aftermath of their first-ever defeat to Bangladesh on Aussie shores, the national selectors have decided to press the SOS button, eyeing multiple changes, at least in the Test squad, in the near future.
Oliver Peake to be groomed as next all-format batter
One of the prime contenders to be fast-tracked to the Australian Test setup will be the 19-year-old Oliver Peake. Despite limited first-class experience under his belt, the Victorian is under the national selectors’ radar, according to Code Sports.
Peake, who has already played four ODIs, will be on the flight to Zimbabwe, but won’t participate in the matches against South Africa. During the three-match ODI series vs the Proteas, the southpaw will be in India for the unofficial Tests with Australia A.
Also Read: Litton Das-Steve Smith Get In Full Blown Fight In Australia vs Bangladesh
“Victorian teenager (Oliver) Peake, 19, is perhaps the most pertinent case study of the balance between the two tours,” a Code Sports report stated.
Marnus Labuschagne on thin ice
Apart from Peake, the selectors will also look to groom Kurtis Patterson and Nathan McSweeney as replacements for the current Test number three, Marnus Labuschagne.
It is noteworthy that the Queenslander hasn’t scored a century since July 2023, with the Test specialist averaging 25.1 in the longest format since then.
Matt Renshaw recalled; Jake Weatherald dropped from Test squad
On Tuesday morning, the Cricket Australia (CA) made a massive change to the Test squad after the team faced an embarrassing loss at Darwin. Ahead of the second Test at Mackay, Matt Renshaw has been recalled to the Test side, replacing Jake Weatherald, who scored a 23 & duck in the first match.
The 30-year-old, who last played a Test match back in 2023 at Delhi, was in scintillating form in the Sheffield Shield 2025/26, scoring 499 runs in 10 innings, featuring three centuries. That said, he wasn’t even among the top 15 run-getters that season.
Overall, in his 14-Test career, the Queenslander has scored 645 runs at 29.31, including a century and three fifties, with a best of 184 vs Pakistan at the SCG in 2017.
CA to groom next chain of fast bowlers
Apart from batting, CA has begun its search for the next generation of fast bowlers, with the pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood all in their late 30s. Meanwhile, Scott Boland, at 37, who was on the bench in Darwin, is not young either.
Thus, the lanky Billy Stanlake, 31, and NSW quick Liam Hatcher, 29, are in contention to be on the tour to India last month, along with left-arm quick Ben Dwarshuis. Moreover, Callum Vidler is also looked at as a potential successor, but the 20-year-old seamer is coming off a back stress fracture.
With Nathan Lyon almost at the twilight of his career, all eyes will be on the next in line tweakers, Todd Murphy and Corey Rocchiccioli, especially before the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in India next year.
Also Read: Babar Azam's Test Record In England: Why Is His Injury A Big Blow For Pakistan?
.jpg?type=mq "Australia's Squad Updated For 2nd Test vs BAN")
