Australia v Bangladesh Second Test Tips: Back Hasan Mahmud wickets at 3/1 as Aussies wobble again

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Saturday 22 August, 01:00
TV: Sky Sports

Australia v Bangladesh second Test team news

Australia, humiliated and in a state of shock, have made only one change to their XI to try to save face and square the series.

Jake Weatherald is the fall guy. Only recently awarded a Cricket Australia contract, his test career is now over, with Matt Renshaw taking his spot. It is probably the right move but it seems unfair that Weatherald should pay the price while others seem immune from the axe.

Cameron Green continues to flatter to deceive while Marnus Labuschagne gets another go at No 3 when Josh Inglis, included in the squad, would have been a fair shout.

The Big Four are present and correct. One wonders whether this might be Nathan Lyon's last Test. Retirement may be on his mind.

Named XI: Head, Renshaw, Labuschagne, Smith, Green, Carey, Webster, Cummins, Starc, Lyon

Whatever happens in Mackay, Bangladesh have already achieved the unthinkable. A series shared would be an extraordinary achievement. But there can be no doubt that after the shellacking they handed the Aussies in game one in Darwin, confidence has never been so high.

They key was that talented players, who had been previously inconsistent against the 'elite' teams, all hit form at the same time.

Pacer Hasan Mahmud rightly took the plaudits but he was backed up by Taskin Ahmed and Ebadot Hossain in the first dig. Then Tanzid Hasan's century was supported by Najmul Shanto and Mominul Haque. Perhaps in the past only a couple of players would have stuck up their hand. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, always durable, took five wickets to close out the second-innings.

We don't expect any changes to the XI. The likes of Taijul Islam, who played under a fitness cloud, could well be better for the run.

Possible XI: Tanzid, Shadman, Haque, Shanto, Das, Mushfiqur, Hasan Miraz, Taijul, Taskin, Hasan, Ebadot

Australia v Bangladesh second Test pitch report 

Mackay has never hosted a Test match before and there haven't been many first-class matches. Cricinfo lists just four of them, but three have been played since 2023. They are instructive with batters, by and large, struggling.

The six first-innings for each team across those matches (most recent first) read: 107, 195, 253, 501-9d, 277 and 275.

The odd one out was by a dominant Queensland who razed Victoria's batting twice. Interestingly, Renshaw was the architect of that Queensland total with a big ton.

It's also worth noting that there have been wickets for spinners in the first digs. That would encourage Bangladesh if there was a repeat.

With Australia's issues against pace now entrenched, the most obvious ploy is to short their runs in first-innings on the Betfair Exchange at high numbers, like from the 360-370 mark.

Australia v Bangladesh second Test match predictions

There can be little doubt that Bangladesh's win in Darwin was the greatest shock of all time in Tests. Nothing else comes close with regard to an also-ran taking down a giant. Maybe Zimbabwe beating Pakistan in 1995? But the Zims had the Flowers and, well, it was Pakistan.

In terms of odds, of course, it was monstrous. The 22/123.00 win may not be matched for a long time. Bangladesh are now as skinny as 9/110.00 with the Aussies at 1/121.08 and the draw at 25/126.00.

It isn't tempting to get involved with Bangladesh again despite Australia's issues. The chop on the tourists is just too big. The trade is an option on the Betfair Exchange, though.

Bangladesh are 12.0011/1 and with wobbly Australia batting, they could get another foothold in the game. One outcome of the Darwin shock is that Bangladesh have more respect in the market now. They are a more serious prospect so the market should act accordingly. Cuts in their price should happen in a more true fashion to their prospects.

And not much is asked. A back-to-lay to 6.005/1 offers all green by doubling the stake on the lay button.

Australia v Bangladesh second Test player tips

Renshaw has good vibes and the overs play on 27.5 for his runs in the first dig is a good option. He is a rare Australia batter these days in terms of being absolutely cast-iron in his technique and knowing what he does well.

A return to run-laden Mackay for him is a good thing. The 13/27.50 about a top-bat win is also a good option.

We can still get 3/14.00 about Hasan winning top Bangladesh wicket-taker. He's joint-fav with Taijul, the spinner, who may well come to the fore in the second. After his nine wickets in the first match, Hasan should probably be the jolly.

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