.jpeg "Mark Waugh backs Marnus Labuschagne and warns Jake Weatherald ahead of second Test")
Bangladesh defeated Australia by nine wickets in the first Test at Darwin from August 13 to 16, 2026. The visitors scored 426 and 57 for one in reply to Australia's totals of 198 and 284. The result marked Bangladesh's first Test win in Australia, achieved in only their third attempt on Australian soil. Hasan Mahmud claimed nine wickets across the match, while Tanzid Hasan scored his maiden Test century and Mehidy Hasan Miraz took five wickets in the second innings.
Weatherald managed scores of 23 and 0 in the first Test, continuing a difficult run since his debut in the home Ashes series last year. The opening batter has accumulated 224 runs across six Tests and 12 innings at an average of 20.36, with only one fifty to his name. Labuschagne scored 1 and 31 at Darwin, adding to concerns about his recent form. Former Australian batsman Mark Waugh offered his assessment of the selection dilemma facing Australia's selectors ahead of the second Test, speaking on Fox Cricket after the match.
"Okay, we will leave Travis Head there for the moment. I do not think he's an opener, but anyway, he is going to open. It is Jake Weatherald and Marnus Labuschagne. Those guys need runs. There is no doubt about it. I'm just wondering whether the selectors have said them to before this Test: 'okay, you have got these two Test matches to prove your spot in the team'," said Waugh on Fox Cricket.
Waugh's assessment of the selection dilemma
Labuschagne has not scored a Test century since the 2023 Ashes tour of England, and his recent averages have remained in the low twenties. However, Waugh acknowledged that Labuschagne's accumulated runs over his career provide some buffer for his continued selection. The former batter noted that Labuschagne showed improvement in the second innings at Darwin, though he was fortunate to avoid dismissal on several occasions.
"I think there is lot of things going on in his head. He is making life very difficult for himself and Marnus, we said he batted better in the second innings. But he could have been out earlier a number of times. He (Marnus) has not made big runs for a while," Waugh said.
"He has got runs in the bank, which is sort of keeping him in the side. I think it's a 50/50 call on these guys for the next Test. I think Weatherald's probably the one in the biggest danger. Marnus, I would give him another go," he added.
The stakes for both players
The stakes for both players are now extremely high. Waugh emphasised that failure in the second Test would likely mark the end of their Test careers. He stated that if either player was dropped, they would struggle to return to the side at the highest level.
"That is the massive question for me. It has pretty bad planning if you haven't got your guys next in line (ready). If Weatherald and Marnus go, they are not coming back. As a selector, you know that is the end of their career at Test level," Waugh concluded.