Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has expressed his disappointment over Australia’s ‘very embarrassing’ nine-wicket defeat to Australia in the first Test of the ongoing two-match series at home.
Speaking to Channel 7, Ponting advised the Australian team management to make some key changes to their playing XI, terming the nine-wicket defeat ‘very embarrassing’. Notably, Australia were a powerhouse under Ponting’s captaincy and won two consecutive World Cups in 2003 and 2007.
“This ends up being a very embarrassing defeat. I think it’s inevitable they have to make a change. I was on the record at the end of last summer thinking that this was the ideal time to start to regenerate this team because of the performances from some of the players,” Ponting told Channel 7.
“Look, I’m the last one I want to make change. As a captain or as a player, I wanted to keep the group together. It has to get to a bad point before I start saying you ought to leave somebody out,” he added.
Delving into the details of the game, in the first innings, Australia could score only 198 runs as Hasan Mahmud scalped a six-wicket haul. In response, Bangladesh scored 426 runs in 138 overs. Tanzid Hasan Tamim (101) was the top scorer. Josh Hazlewood racked up a six-fer.
In the third innings, Australia could score only 284 runs, with Cameron Green scoring a 104-run knock. In the fourth innings, Bangladesh chased down the target in 14.2 overs with nine wickets in hand.
The second Test of the series will be played from August 22 to 26 in Mackay.
