Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood. (Photo Source: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)
Josh Hazlewood has been named in Australia’s XI for the opening Test against Bangladesh in Darwin, with Scott Boland missing out on a starting berth. Pat Cummins announced the expected line-up on the eve of the match, confirming that Australia’s preferred pace trio would take the field together for the first time in over a year, their previous outing as a unit having come during the West Indies tour.
The Darwin fixture also represents Test cricket’s return to the venue after a 22-year absence. Hazlewood had been sidelined since last October, sitting out the entire Ashes series through injury, while Cummins himself managed only a single appearance against England during that campaign. Nathan Lyon completes the pace-spin combination, coming back into the side after a hamstring injury sustained in Adelaide ended his involvement in the Ashes prematurely.
Josh Inglis is the other squad member who does not feature in the XI alongside Boland. Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto chose not to reveal his team the night before the Test, pointing to minor fitness concerns within his squad, though he confirmed that wicketkeeper Litton Das had recovered sufficiently to be available for selection.
Cummins addressed the selection decision at his pre-match media appearance, explaining that Lyon’s inclusion was settled first and the pace combination was then worked out around it. He acknowledged Boland’s standing in Australian cricket while making clear that Hazlewood was the preferred choice for this match, with a lengthy series still ahead.
How is Australia’s batting order set up for Darwin?
Cameron Green slots in at number five, with Alex Carey and Beau Webster occupying the sixth and seventh positions respectively. Jake Weatherald and Travis Head continue the opening partnership that formed during the Ashes. Carey had publicly indicated a willingness to move up the order, though Cummins confirmed the wicketkeeper would stay at his current position.
Australia’s XI for the first Test against Bangladesh: Jake Weatherald, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Beau Webster, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
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