Australia rocked by Bangladesh loss as selectors weigh changes; Hundred finals decided — cricket digest 17 Aug 2026

· Cricombo Editorial

Australia face selection squeeze after Darwin defeat as Labuschagne and Weatherald come under fire

The fallout from Australia’s nine-wicket loss to Bangladesh in Darwin is set to dominate selection talks ahead of the second Test in Mackay, with Marnus Labuschagne and Jake Weatherald both under intense scrutiny. Coach Andrew McDonald said Labuschagne “needs some big runs” after scores of 1 and 31, with his Test century drought now stretching to 42 innings since July 2023; despite signs his method is holding up, McDonald stressed the bottom line is output.

Captain Pat Cummins admitted there were “no excuses” and said the side had been outplayed “in all facets”, leaving the door open to changes. Weatherald’s returns of 23 and 0 in Darwin have also sharpened the focus on Australia’s options, with Josh Inglis, Matt Renshaw, Kurtis Patterson, Ollie Peake, Cooper Connolly, Campbell Kellaway, Sam Konstas and Nathan McSweeney among the names being discussed as potential solutions.

Shanto hails Bangladesh’s all-round effort after historic first Test win in Australia

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said the whole side deserved the Player-of-the-Match award after their landmark Darwin win, Bangladesh’s first Test victory in Australia. He singled out the fast bowlers for setting the tone by bowling Australia out for 198 on the opening day, with Hasan Mahmud ultimately named Player of the Match after taking nine wickets in the game.

Shanto also praised Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s growing influence as the match progressed, Taijul Islam’s key contributions despite a finger injury, and Tanzid Hasan’s maiden Test century. He highlighted the lower order’s time at the crease as a vital part of Bangladesh’s first-innings 426.

Padikkal powers India towards a huge first-innings total in rain-hit Galle Test

Devdutt Padikkal stretched his maiden Test hundred into 167 on day two in Galle as India moved to 460 for 9 in a rain-affected contest against Sri Lanka. Padikkal said his focus after reaching three figures is driven by a “hunger to score more runs”, and he pointed to clear plans against spin as key to keeping his footwork and decision-making decisive.

Dhruv Jurel added a brisk 51 off 68 balls from No. 6, explaining India’s approach was to score as many runs as possible without “going bonkers from ball one”, with time lost to weather and the pitch showing increasing signs of turn.

New champions at Lord’s as Super Giants and Rockets lift The Hundred trophies

Manchester Super Giants won the men’s Hundred title at Lord’s, chasing down 159 to beat Trent Rockets by five wickets, with Tim Seifert’s 72 leading the way. Noor Ahmad took three wickets, and Liam Dawson finished the chase with a match-winning six in a tight finish.

In the women’s final, Trent Rockets sealed their maiden title with an eight-wicket win over Sunrisers Leeds after bowling them out for 91, then cruising to 92 for 2 with Sophia Dunkley and Beth Mooney guiding the chase.

New Zealand set October start for domestic summer as Ford Trophy opens at Saxton Oval

New Zealand Cricket confirmed the 2026-27 domestic season will begin on October 28 with the Ford Trophy, as defending champions Central Districts host Northern Districts at Saxton Oval in Nelson. The opening round also includes Auckland vs Canterbury and Wellington vs Otago.

The women’s season starts on November 14, with Northern Districts beginning their Hallyburton Johnstone Shield title defence against Central Hinds at Fitzherbert Park in Palmerston North. NZC said 14 venues will be used across the summer, with Colin Maiden Park returning after redevelopment; the Plunket Shield schedule is due on September 2, with Super Smash fixtures to follow later in September.

In brief

  • Pakistan left out pace bowler Diana Baig from their squads for the Women’s T20 Asia Cup and the Asian Games, with Fatima Sana returning to lead both tournaments and Aliya Riaz named only for the Asian Games squad.
  • Saud Shakeel made an unbeaten hundred as Pakistan beat the Professional County Club Select XI by seven wickets in a tour match in England, with Ali Usman taking five wickets in the hosts’ second innings.
  • Luke Hollman’s 83 not out and three wickets carried Middlesex past Durham by two wickets at Radlett to reach their first List A final since 1990.
  • Hamza Shaikh’s century and Alex Green’s four-for helped Leicestershire beat Nottinghamshire by 23 runs to book a place in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup final.
  • Quinton de Kock and Sherfane Rutherford set up Barbados Tridents’ nine-run win over St Lucia Kings in an 18-overs-a-side CPL game, before Gudakesh Motie and Mujeeb Ur Rahman shared five wickets to stall the chase.
  • Sri Lanka debutant offspinner Keshara Nuwantha drew attention for the revolutions he puts on the ball, after taking three wickets against India in Galle.
  • Bangladesh’s Darwin win put Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Hasan Mahmud into rare statistical company, with the victory their first Test success in Australia in three attempts.
  • The Cricket Regulator’s work to protect The Hundred from fixing was in focus, highlighting how suspicious patterns are monitored across venues and matches.
  • A look back at Pakistan’s 2020 Old Trafford Test explored how one poor session undid their position, against the backdrop of their current tour of England.
  • Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s role in Bangladesh’s Darwin breakthrough was underlined after a difficult year, as he delivered a decisive performance in the historic win.
  • Padikkal’s century in Galle has sharpened India’s selection conversation, with Sai Sudharsan having held the No. 3 spot before injury opened the door.

Sources: ESPNcricinfo