The Australia National Cricket Team will be up against the Bangladesh National Cricket Team on August 13 at the MCG 2 in Darwin. This is the first Test series between both sides in 23 years in Australia. Ahead of the first game, the hosts have announced their playing XI, with captain Pat Cummins returning to the side.
The Aussies have been in great form in the current World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-2027 cycle as they are top-positioned in the points table with the most PCT. They will be looking to gather more points from the forthcoming two Test matches, which are part of the WTC cycle. Australia are back with the full squad for this series.
Josh Hazlewood returns to the side
Pat Cummins returns to the side after missing out on the majority of the Ashes series due to a back injury. Josh Hazlewood also returns to the squad after missing out on the Ashes series. The pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins will once again breathe fire from Thursday. The pace trio was missing during the Ashes as only Starc played the series.
Josh Hazlewood's return will be a big boost as he has maintained the workload during the Ashes and also during the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL), as he did not feature in some games to keep his body fit. The pacer will be looking to hit the lengths from the very first over of the Test match on Thursday.
Australia goes with two pace-bowling all-rounders
As expected, the Aussies have gone with two pace-bowling all-rounders in the form of Cameron Green and Beau Webster. It was an expected call from the Australian management as they wanted to go with a five-pacer and one-spinner combination in the squad. Webster played during the final game of the Ashes as he picked three wickets and scored 71 runs.
Green, who was previously playing as a designated batter, was seen bowling during the IPL for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). He is expected to bowl even in the red-ball format as well. He will look to make a comeback to the Test format after having a poor stint in recent times.
Australia XI: Jake Weatherald, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Beau Webster, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
Series schedule:
First Test: August 13-17, Darwin
Second Test: August 22-26, Mackay
More to follow......
