'Bangladesh didn't really let us in': Cummins rejects lack of preparation for Darwin defeat

Australia captain Pat Cummins has rejected suggestions that poor preparation contributed to his side's shock nine wicket defeat to Bangladesh in Darwin in August, insisting the team would have approached the series no differently had it been the Ashes instead.

Australia suffered one of the more remarkable upsets in recent Test history in the series opener, before bouncing back emphatically to win the second Test in Mackay by an innings inside just two days, levelling the series overall.

Speaking on the Keepin' it Cricket podcast, Cummins was direct when asked whether preparation had let the side down.

"Whether that was an Ashes Test or a Bangladesh series, I think we would have prepped exactly the same," he said.

He pushed back further on the notion that the squad had underestimated the assignment.

"Of course you look at it after the series, but I actually thought we were in a really good spot, everyone fit, firing," he said.

Asked more specifically what had gone wrong in Darwin, Cummins offered a blunt assessment that placed the responsibility squarely on performance rather than planning.

"I just don't think we played very well," he said.

"I don't think it was a lack of prep. I just don't think we were at our best, and Bangladesh played brilliantly, and didn't really let us in," he added.

Bangladesh's win in Darwin marked their first Test victory on Australian soil, built around a five wicket haul from Hasan Mahmud, further support from Mehidy Hasan Miraz, and a maiden century from Tanzid Hasan Tamim.

The result stunned the cricketing world, coming despite Australia fielding a full strength attack including Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood alongside Cummins himself.

Australia responded to the opening defeat by winning the second Test in Mackay by an innings inside two days, levelling the series 1-1.