Bangladesh bowler Nahid Rana has raised eyebrows with a provocative celebration as Australia lost their first ODI to Bangladesh in 21 years. This comes as calls for Oliver Peake to replace Marnus Labuschagne grow with the Aussie batter once again struggling in the green and gold.
The Aussies were looking to get their three-match ODI cricket series in Bangladesh off to a good start after a series loss in Pakistan. Although they were left helpless as Rana tormented the batters as he exceeded speeds of 150km/h in a devastating white ball spell.
Marnus Labuschagne (pictured left) has once against struggled in the green and gold as Josh Inglis (pictured far right) shared some words with Bangladesh bowler Nahid Rana in the defeat. (Images: Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
Australia was surprised as the quicks dominated the match with Australia struggling to 9-191 with rain and lightning ending the innings early. Rana took 4-41 as his speed caused trouble for the Aussie batters.
And the bowler was looking to ignite his team after some emotive celebrations. One dismissal and celebration towards Josh Inglis certainly raised eyebrows.
Inglis was caught behind on 19 for Rana’s first wicket. The tall quick celebrated with a roar close to Inglis as his team congratulated him. And the Aussie batter wasn’t pleased as he turned back to share some words.
The Bangladesh team got in between the two players as Inglis was guided from the pitch. Rana’s bowling was troubling the Aussies and it frustrated Inglis. And the quick earned praise for his excellent spell that rattled the Australian batting line-up.
Inglis, who was stand-in captain for the game, admitted it was the fielding and little moments that let the team down. “Disappointing total on our part,” he said after the defeat.
“We dropped four or five catches. I thought if it (Bangladesh score) was somewhere around 230-240 it was very chaseable. We didn’t have a big partnership to get us close. Disappointing day all-round.”
Marnus Labuschagne (pictured right once against struggled for runs. (Photo by Munir UZ ZAMAN / AFP via Getty Images)
(MUNIR UZ ZAMAN via Getty Images)
Marnus Labuschagne struggles again in ODIs
One of the biggest talking points coming out of Australia’s third ODI defeat in four games is the form of Labuschagne. The batter has struggled in both white ball and red ball cricket across the last few years.
And his tough run of form against the white ball has continued. Stretching back to 2024, Labuschagne is only averaging 11.64 in his last 17 ODIs. The batter hasn’t scored a century in his last 70 innings across all formats as he battles for runs. And fans are asking why young talent Peake was dropped for Labuschagne for the first ODI against Bangladesh.
The 19-year-old made his international debut for Australia in the recent series loss to Pakistan earlier this month. Peake only managed scores of 7, 31 and 7 in the series, but showed he was better for the run and could be a mainstay in the Aussie line-up.
Fans are calling for Peake to come back into the side for the next match to give him more experience at the expense of Labuschagne. Peake looks like a talent and would benefit batting alongside the veterans.
