![Ricky Ponting lambasts Australia [Source: AFP, x]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1786864282086_Australia.jpg?type=hq)
Ricky Ponting lambasts Australia [Source: AFP, x]
The Bangladesh cricket team secured a historic Test win over Australia at the Marrara Oval in Darwin on Sunday, August 16. Making full use of their huge first innings advantage, seasoned spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz mopped up the Australian tail before Shadman Islam and Mominul Haque cruised past Bangladesh’s meagre target.
Registering their first-ever Test win on Australian soil, on their return to the country after a gap of 23 years no less, the Najmul Hossain Shanto-led Bangladesh also went 1-0 up in the two-match series.
As one can expect, the outcome has sent shockwaves through the Australian camp, with the hosts left to reflect on a stunning collapse against a Bangladesh side that seized control of the contest from the outset. Former captain Ricky Ponting also weighed in on Australia’s shocking performance in Darwin with a detailed assessment.
Ricky Ponting urges Australia to make changes
Former Australian captain and active commentator Ricky Ponting has lambasted the current national set-up after their Darwin disaster against Bangladesh. While speaking between sessions at the brink of Australia’s certain defeat, the legendary cricketer urged the Australian team management and national selectors to make some changes.
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Ponting is of the opinion that this is the ideal time to “re-generate” the Australian Test side, considering the performance of some of the players.
He said “They have to make change. This is the ideal time to start and re-generate this team, considering the performances from some of the players. There’s been enough evidence for me coming here to suggest, that we aren’t going to lose anything or much at all, by starting that re-generation.”
Ricky Ponting wants Australia to change its top three
Backing up his own claims, Ricky Ponting stated that the Australian selection committee must change the team’s top order. The former skipper advised that the team management must try and bring another opening batter or a different number three option.
He said “Maybe by bringing another opener, or maybe bringing someone at number three. If they lose here, then that has to happen.”
Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne’s numbers justify Ponting’s advise
Compatible to Ricky Ponting’s claims, the Australian cricket team has been opening with Travis Head and Jake Weatherald off late. While Travis plundered over 600 runs in the 2025-26 Ashes series at home, Weatherald minted just 201 runs in 10 innings of the series at a dismal average of 22.33.
The 31-year-old also scored just 23 runs across both innings of the Darwin Test, as he was dismissed by tearaway paceman Hasan Mahmud on both occasions.
Even Marnus Labuschagne at number three has been struggling to score runs at his usual volume, considering he made just 259 runs in 10 Ashes innings last summer, and scored just 32 runs against Bangladesh in the series-opening Darwin Test.
Australia in must-win scenario for Mackay Test
Trailing 0-1 in the two-match Test series, it is imperative for the Australian cricket team to win the impending decider at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay. The match is scheduled to be played between August 22 and August 26.
Fortunately for Australia, the Pat Cummins-led side is still placed at the top of the 2025-27 WTC charts despite their shock defeat to Bangladesh.
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