Australia’s premier bowlers are poised to return for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh. Captain Pat Cummins, fast bowler Josh Hazlewood, and off‑spinner Nathan Lyon have been included in a 13‑player squad for the two‑match series scheduled in Darwin and Mackay in August.
Cummins, Hazlewood, and Lyon missed Australia’s most recent Test in Sydney in January due to injury. They replace Michael Neser, who featured in three of the five Ashes Tests, including the final two, and delivered impressive performances. Todd Murphy and Brendan Doggett were also named in the Sydney squad but did not play; they, along with Neser, remain on standby for the forthcoming Bangladesh series.
“The national selection panel eagerly anticipates the return of Pat, Josh, and Nathan,” selector George Bailey remarked. “They have put in tremendous effort, both individually and with our sports science and medical staff, to overcome their injuries.”
“This 13‑player list reflects a pool of talent ready to step in if needed before the matches. Moreover, the dense cricket calendar over the coming year should create additional opportunities for players across all formats,” Bailey added.
The retirement of Usman Khawaja from Test cricket has created a vacancy at No. 5 in Australia’s batting order, though selectors have not yet introduced a new specialist batsman. Cameron Green and Beau Webster featured at No. 7 and No. 8 in the most recent Test and are expected to retain those positions, with Green likely moving up to No. 5 ahead of Alex Carey and Webster.
Josh Inglis has been included as a backup batter and wicketkeeper, having previously featured in two Ashes Tests last summer in Brisbane and Adelaide as a specialist batsman.
Opener Jake Weatherald remains with the squad and will continue opening alongside Travis Head, a partnership that produced four half‑century stands during the Ashes. The 31‑year‑old is eager to post a substantial score in either of the Tests in Darwin or Mackay, having recorded just one half‑century in his first ten Test innings, with an average of 22.33 in the recent Ashes. Marnus Labuschagne stays at No. 3, while Steven Smith remains fixed at No. 4.
Hazlewood’s comeback creates a selection dilemma for the panel, particularly concerning Scott Boland, who featured in all five Ashes Tests alongside the relentless Mitchell Starc.
At 35, Hazlewood missed the entire Ashes campaign due to persistent hamstring and Achilles problems. He has suffered an injury in the opening Test or first‑class match in four of the past five summers.
In 2021‑22 he incurred a side strain during the first Ashes Test in Brisbane and was sidelined for the remainder of the season. The following year, another side strain in the opening Test sidelined him for the next two Tests. In January 2023 he damaged his Achilles in his first Test and missed the India tour. He then enjoyed an unbroken run in 2023‑24, contesting nine consecutive Tests before sustaining a side strain in the first Test of the 2024‑25 summer against India, prompting an early calf injury that forced him out of the third Test in Brisbane.
He featured in four consecutive Tests during the previous winter, including the World Test Championship final against South Africa and three matches against West Indies in the Caribbean, but incurred a hamstring strain in his first Sheffield Shield match that summer, preceding the Ashes. Ongoing Achilles complications subsequently ruled him out for the remainder of the series and the T20 World Cup.
Boland, 37, has avoided injury throughout this period and boasts 82 Test wickets at an average of 18.58 from 19 appearances.
Australia’s Test squad vs Bangladesh
Pat Cummins (capt), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster
