Australia's batting woes have resurfaced, and the team is on the brink of a historic defeat to Bangladesh. The pressure is mounting, and the Aussies are struggling to find their footing in the ongoing Test match in Darwin. With their best batsman, Steve Smith, out of the equation, the team is in a tough spot. The all-rounder Cameron Green, who was fortunate to survive an inside-edge moment, is looking composed on an unbeaten 43 at stumps on day three, along with wicketkeeper Alex Carey (19 no), as Australia reached 161 for 4 in their second innings. However, the hosts still trail by 67 runs after Bangladesh were dismissed for 426 just after lunch on Saturday.
The Aussies' struggles began with the dismissal of openers Jake Weatherald (0) and Travis Head (17) to paceman Hasan Mahmud before tea. Marnus Labuschagne (31) followed suit, playing all around a half-volley from spinner Taijul Islam. These early setbacks have left Australia in a difficult position. The dismissal of Smith (44) was equally concerning, as he pushed an innocuous delivery from spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz straight back to the bowler. The team will need to dig deep and rewrite Test history if they want to beat Bangladesh, who took a first-innings lead of 228.
Despite the Aussies' struggles, there was a silver lining. Paceman Josh Hazlewood was the standout performer with the ball, taking 6 for 89. The wicket of Mehidy was his 300th in Test cricket, making him the ninth Australian to reach this milestone. However, the team's overall performance has been a cause for concern. The largest first-innings deficit Australia has come back from to win a Test on home soil was 206, when they trailed Pakistan at the SCG in 2010. On that occasion, Michael Hussey made an unbeaten 134 in the second innings, and Australia bowled Pakistan out for 176 to win by 36 runs.
The Aussies' woes were further compounded before lunch on Saturday when No 10 batter Taskin hooked Pat Cummins for four with disdain. Steve Smith then dropped a sitter at deep backward square leg. Travis Head also spilled a skied pull shot off Mehidy, a difficult chance, making it five dropped catches for the innings by Australia. The Bangladeshis, led by captain Najmul Hossain Shanto (84) and Tanzid Hasan (101), set up their first-innings lead with an aggressive and maiden ton. Mahmud (14) defied the bowlers for 92 deliveries, showcasing a brilliant 6 for 55 in the first innings, a performance that the Australians could learn from.
In conclusion, Australia's batting woes have left them on the brink of a historic defeat to Bangladesh. The team will need to find their form quickly if they want to avoid a major upset. The Aussies have a challenging task ahead, but with the right mindset and performance, they can still turn things around and rewrite Test history.
