DARWIN, Australia — Australia have confirmed their playing XI for the opening Test against Bangladesh in Darwin, with Josh Hazlewood returning to international cricket after a lengthy injury absence and Nathan Lyon coming back into the side. Captain Pat Cummins also confirmed that Alex Carey will remain at No. 6, while Cameron Green and Beau Webster will bat at Nos. 5 and 7 respectively.
- Josh Hazlewood returns to international cricket after last playing in October last year.
- Scott Boland misses out despite being considered closely for the pace combination.
- Nathan Lyon returns after his Ashes campaign was ended by a hamstring injury in Adelaide.
- Alex Carey stays at No. 6 despite recently putting forward his case to bat higher.
- Jake Weatherald continues as Travis Head’s opening partner.
- Australia will field a pace attack of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.
Josh Hazlewood Returns for Australia vs Bangladesh 1st Test
Josh Hazlewood has been selected for Australia’s opening Test against Bangladesh, marking his return to international cricket after an extended period on the sidelines. Cummins confirmed that Hazlewood’s absence had stretched back to October last year, with injury subsequently ruling him out of Australia’s entire Ashes series.
His return means Australia’s first-choice pace attack will reunite for the first time in more than a year. Hazlewood will join Mitchell Starc and captain Pat Cummins as Australia prepare to face Bangladesh in Darwin.
The selection decision came after Australia had already settled on Nathan Lyon as part of the XI. Cummins explained that the remaining selection discussion focused on how Australia wanted to structure the pace attack.
“I think we were pretty certain we wanted Lyno [Lyon] inside, so just kind of working out what the make-up of the quicks were.”
That decision went in Hazlewood’s favour, leaving Scott Boland outside the XI. Cummins acknowledged Boland’s quality and suggested that the fast bowler remains an important part of Australia’s plans with a large amount of cricket still ahead.
“We obviously know Scotty’s class. It’s always a pretty tight call.”
Cummins added that there was little more that could be said to Boland other than reminding him of how highly the team values him and how much cricket remains on the schedule.
Nathan Lyon Returns After Ashes Injury
Nathan Lyon will also make his return to the Australian Test XI. The veteran offspinner’s Ashes campaign was cut short after he suffered a hamstring injury in Adelaide.
Lyon’s return gives Australia an experienced specialist spinner alongside their three senior fast bowlers. He had also been rested for two day-night Tests last year, making his return another important part of Australia’s team combination.
Cummins spoke highly of Lyon’s progress during his recovery and pointed to the quality of his bowling before the injury interrupted his Ashes campaign.
“I was even looking at some footage the other day of that Adelaide Test, and I think that’s the best he’s bowled in years.”
The Australia captain described the timing of Lyon’s injury as particularly unfortunate but said the spinner had worked extremely hard over the following six months.
Cummins said Lyon had been training every day while waiting for another opportunity and appeared to be in excellent physical condition. He also said Lyon had been bowling beautifully in preparation for his return.
“So he looks in incredible shape. He’s been bowling beautifully, and as a captain and team-mate, it’s going to be awesome to have him back out there.”
Alex Carey to Remain at No. 6
Australia have also confirmed their preferred middle-order structure for the first Test. Cameron Green will bat at No. 5, Alex Carey will remain at No. 6 and Beau Webster will occupy No. 7.
Carey’s position had been a talking point after the wicketkeeper-batter recently put his hand up for a promotion in the batting order. However, the Australian management has decided to retain him in the position where he has already delivered important contributions.
Cummins said Carey had won several matches for Australia from No. 6 and that the combination of Carey and Webster at Nos. 6 and 7 provided the balance the team wanted.
“Kez [Carey] has won a few games for us at No. 6. I like that combination of him and Webster at six, seven.”
Cummins also backed Cameron Green as a No. 5 batter. While the captain acknowledged that Australia could experiment with the batting order, he said the selected combination was expected to function best for the team.
“I feel like Greeny’s a good No. 5, so you can try and get funky, but we thought that’s kind of how the team will function the best.”
The captain also described Carey’s ability to potentially bat higher as a positive selection problem for Australia.
Jake Weatherald Retains Opening Role
Jake Weatherald will continue to open alongside Travis Head. The combination was established early in the Ashes and has now been retained for Australia’s first Test of the Bangladesh series.
Weatherald’s selection carries additional significance because Darwin is his birthplace and the city where he grew up. His presence has been central to the build-up to the return of Test cricket to the Northern Territory.
Weatherald has embraced the local connection during Australia’s preparations, while also preparing for what is a significant stage in his Test career.
Australia’s Confirmed Playing XI
Australia have selected an experienced XI featuring three frontline fast bowlers, Lyon’s offspin and a flexible batting unit containing several established international players.
- Jake Weatherald
- Travis Head
- Marnus Labuschagne
- Steven Smith
- Cameron Green
- Alex Carey (wicketkeeper)
- Beau Webster
- Mitchell Starc
- Pat Cummins (captain)
- Nathan Lyon
- Josh Hazlewood
What Hazlewood’s Return Means for Australia
Hazlewood’s return restores a bowling combination that Australia have relied upon across a long period of Test cricket. His ability to operate alongside Starc and Cummins gives the hosts three experienced pace options before Lyon is brought into the attack.
The selection also demonstrates Australia’s preference for experience at the beginning of the Bangladesh series. Boland, despite his strong reputation within the squad, has been left out as Australia reunite their established pace combination.
For Bangladesh, the challenge will be particularly demanding because the visitors must now prepare for Hazlewood’s return in addition to facing Starc and Cummins. Lyon’s presence further strengthens Australia’s options when the ball gets older and the match develops into longer spells of Test cricket.
Australia vs Bangladesh 1st Test Team Combination
The Australian XI provides a clear picture of how Cummins wants his side structured. Weatherald and Head form the opening pair, followed by Marnus Labuschagne and Steven Smith before Green takes the No. 5 position.
Carey and Webster provide the lower-middle-order combination, with both offering batting depth. Starc, Cummins, Lyon and Hazlewood complete the bowling attack.
The decision to select Lyon alongside three frontline quicks also gives Australia different options depending on the conditions at Marrara Cricket Ground and the progression of the Test.
AUS vs BAN Test Begins in Darwin
The AUS vs BAN Test opening match is scheduled to take place at Marrara Cricket Ground in Darwin on August 13. Australia enter the contest with Hazlewood back in the XI and Lyon restored after injury.
The first Test also marks an important moment for Australia’s wider Test campaign, with the experienced core of the team beginning another demanding period of international cricket.
For Bangladesh, Australia’s confirmed XI removes much of the selection uncertainty ahead of the contest. The visitors will now face a bowling attack led by Starc, Cummins and Hazlewood, supported by Lyon, while Australia have settled on Carey at No. 6 and retained Weatherald alongside Head at the top of the order.
