The Darwin Test is underway, and the Aussies are facing a challenging situation. The first day of the match saw Australia bat first, but they were bowled out for a meager 198, with only three batters reaching 20. The performance was so poor that even veteran spin bowler Nathan Lyon refused to criticize his batters, acknowledging their preparation and the challenging conditions. However, the real embarrassment came when Steve Smith admitted he had nicked the ball and should have been out twice early in his innings. If he had been out either time, the Aussies could have been looking at a total less than 130. The Bangladeshis, on the other hand, are well and truly in control of the match, with a comfortable 1-96 at stumps. The Aussies' poor performance has sparked debate, with Mark Waugh suggesting they should have picked Scott Boland for the match, and Kerry O'Keeffe criticizing the team hierarchy for sending mixed messages to Cameron Green. The covers being on the pitch overnight will make it a bit slow and tough to bat on, and the Aussie bowlers will adjust their plans slightly this morning. The Aussies' desperate attempts to review every decision, as seen in the 'bad review' of Tanzid Hasan Tamim, further highlight their current state of desperation. The match is far from over, but the Aussies will need to step up their game if they want to turn this situation around.
