MACKAY: Australia will be looking to restore some pride while Bangladesh will aim to complete a historic Test-series sweep when the two sides meet in the second and final Test at the Great Barrier Reef Arena from Saturday.
The world’s top-ranked Test side were stunned by Bangladesh in Darwin last week, losing by nine wickets in a result that has been dubbed the “Darwin Disaster” by Australian media.
Australia responded by dropping opener Jake Weatherald, who struggled in the first Test, with 30-year-old Matt Renshaw recalled to the Test squad after three years away.
The hosts, however, are expected to rely largely on their established lineup to deliver a response, with wicketkeeper Alex Carey set to make his 50th Test appearance.
“We are a proud group of cricketers and obviously last week didn’t go to plan,” Carey said. “When this team has been challenged, we always find a way to bounce back in a big way.”
Cameron Green provided Australia with one of the few positives in Darwin, scoring 104 in the second innings to end a drought stretching back to his debut against India in December 2020.
The all-rounder said returning to a simpler approach helped him rediscover his form after he had begun tinkering with his technique.
“I went back to how I used to play, keeping it really simple,” Green said.
Australia’s batting will remain under scrutiny, with top-order batter Marnus Labuschagne having been told by coach Andrew McDonald that he needs to produce “big runs” in Mackay to retain his place.
Bangladesh, meanwhile, head into the Test with confidence after claiming their first Test victory on Australian soil.
Their switch to a pace-heavy attack proved decisive in Darwin, with their five bowlers dismissing Australia twice. Shoriful Islam, who missed the opening Test with a hamstring injury, has recovered and is available for selection, although replacing one of the pace bowlers who excelled in Darwin could prove difficult.
Bangladesh’s victory was built around disciplined bowling and a collective batting effort, and another win would complete a 2-0 series triumph and rank among the biggest achievements in the country’s Test history.
“We also want to win the series,” Shoriful said. “We will try.”
The match will also mark the Great Barrier Reef Arena’s debut as a Test venue, making it the 12th ground in Australia to host a Test.
For Australia, anything short of a convincing victory would raise further questions about a side that has dominated the format but was comprehensively outplayed in Darwin. For Bangladesh, another victory would turn a remarkable upset into an historic series sweep.
Published in Dawn, August 21st, 2026
