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The Australia National Cricket Team have announced the squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh. The first match is scheduled to take place from August 13 at the Marrara Cricket Ground (MCG 2), Darwin. Skipper Pat Cummins returns to the Test squad after missing out on the majority of the Ashes games later last year and earlier this year.
Cricket Australia have announced a 13-man squad for the upcoming game. Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon also return to the squad. Australia will be fielding the full-strength squad for the first Test in August.
Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood return for Australia
Josh Hazlewood returns after missing out on the full Ashes series after picking up an Achilles injury while recovering from a hamstring injury. The veteran spinner Nathan Lyon underwent surgery after sustaining a hamstring injury in the third Test in Adelaide.
Pat Cummins only featured in one game, in Adelaide, after recovering from his back injury. Later, Australia did not risk him once the Ashes was secured, as he did not feature in the final two Test matches of the series. Both Cummins and Hazlewood also missed out on the T20 World Cup 2026 but returned in the IPL.
"They have worked extremely hard"- George Bailey on return of senior cricketers
Australia chairman of selectors George Bailey said that the management is happy with the return of Hazlewood, Cummins and Lyon to the side as they have worked hard to regain their full fitness. The management is ready to make any adjustments in the series if there are any injuries in these matches.
"The NSP [National Selection Panel] look forward to the return of Pat, Josh and Nathan," chairman of selectors George Bailey said. "They have worked extremely hard, individually and with the SSSM [Sport Science Sports Medicine] teams, over the past few months to return from their respective injuries."
"While this is a 13-player squad, we have players prepared and available should any adjustments be required in the lead up to these matches," Bailey said.
"As previously stated, the volume of cricket and schedule across the next 12 months are likely to present further opportunities across all formats for many players."
Michael Nesser dropped after star performance against England
Michael Nesser and Brendan Doggett have been left out due to the return of the senior cricketers. Nesser was a star in the three Test matches he played, picking up 15 wickets in the Ashes. Todd Murphy also misses out, but he might be called back in if there is any requirement during the latter stage of the Test series.
The two Tests, part of the current World Test Championship cycle, will take place in Darwin (August 13-17) and Mackay (August 22-26). It is the start of a marathon schedule as the Aussies are set to play 14 Tests over eight months, as the players need to be fit and try to play as many games as possible.
Australia squad for Bangladesh Tests: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster
