Darwin, 14 August 2026:
Australia all-rounder Beau Webster conceded the second day of the first Test against Bangladesh was among the toughest his side has endured but insisted the hosts still believe they can force their way back into the match.
Bangladesh ended the day with a commanding 153-run first-innings lead and four wickets still in hand after taking advantage of increasingly favorable batting conditions in Darwin.
“Yeah, it would be up there,” Webster said when asked if it had been one of Australia’s toughest days as a team. “Full credit to Bangladesh, they batted superbly this morning when it probably did a little bit and then carried it on into the afternoon and played the spin well.
“They were aggressive at times and absorbed pressure at times, so full credit to them. They batted beautifully today.”
Webster was among the Australian bowlers asked to shoulder the workload in hot conditions, sending down 10 overs for 28 runs with one maiden. The all-rounder has taken 11 wickets at an average of 24.54 in his eight-Test career, in addition to scoring 452 runs at 41.09.
Australia tried several approaches as Bangladesh continued to build its advantage, but Webster said the pitch had flattened considerably since the opening morning.
“We tried a few different plans — wide, straight, spin, some bumpers from Martin at the end there to try and grab a wicket,” Webster said. “They batted nicely and we’re going to have to come up with some more plans for tomorrow.”
Despite Bangladesh’s advantage, Webster said Australia had not abandoned hopes of winning the Test.
“Obviously, we’ve got to get these last four wickets as cheaply as possible and then put in probably two really good days of batting, which is going to be hard work, no doubt,” he said. “But the boys in the dressing room have full faith that we’ve got the calibre and we can do it.”
Webster said Australia’s first priority on the third morning will be preventing Bangladesh from stretching the lead further before the home side attempts to repair the damage with the bat.
Australia’s batting group will need a substantial improvement after its first-innings performance, but Webster believes the conditions could allow the hosts to score quickly enough to revive the contest.
“We’ve got some naturally aggressive batters to move the scoreboard along,” Webster said. “Hopefully the wicket stays quite true and nice and we can put some pressure back on their bowlers.
“There’s still three days left of cricket here and a day and a half of really good batting at a half-decent clip gets us right back in this contest.”
Webster said the possibility of batting last on a deteriorating surface could still provide Australia with an opening if it can build a meaningful second-innings advantage.
“Our batting group was obviously a little bit disappointing on day one, so we’re going to have to put our hand up and bat long, bat long periods like they did and put some pressure back on,” he said.
“The way we’re going to win it is not going to be anywhere near other than late day five. So I’m sure we’re up for the contest.”
