‘We’ve got carried away’: The Australian Test team’s five biggest problems

August 17, 2026 — 5:52pm

You have reached your maximum number of saved items.

Remove items from your saved list to add more.

Top order batting – Pat Cummins asked his batting order to get through a tricky first couple of hours on a fresh pitch in Darwin and they were completely unable to find a way to do so against a diligent but far from fearsome Bangladesh attack. Jake Weatherald’s perpetual motion at the crease speaks of technical tweaks but also nerves, and it is tough to see him keeping his place in Mackay.

Marnus Labuschagne has already been dropped and recalled once in the past year, but is still struggling to find his best. Then there’s Travis Head and the question of his best position. Former opener Matthew Hayden was one seasoned voice to call for Matt Renshaw and Sam Konstas at the top, with Head moving to three.

Tellingly, Cummins spoke not of a one-off problem but of a trend, meaning that the team’s batting difficulties will be the chief topic of internal conversation this week. He was also open about the selectors’ ability to make change: “Every Aussie........

© The Sydney Morning Herald