Australia have confirmed their playing XI for the second Test against Bangladesh after suffering a shocking nine-wicket defeat in the opening match in Darwin.
The Australia playing XI for second Test vs Bangladesh has one change in the batting department, with out-of-form opener Jake Weatherald making way for Matt Renshaw.
Renshaw will open the batting alongside Travis Head in the second Test, which starts in Mackay on August 22.
Australia will be desperate to bounce back after Bangladesh registered their first-ever Test victory on Australian soil in the opening match. Another Bangladesh victory would complete a historic 2-0 series sweep.
Matt Renshaw Replaces Jake Weatherald
Weatherald has paid the price for his poor run at Test level. The left-hander scored 23 and 0 in the first Test in Darwin and has now been left out for the second match.
His overall Test numbers also explain Australia’s decision. Weatherald has played six Tests and scored 224 runs in 12 innings at an average of 20.36, with one half-century and a highest score of 72.
Matt Renshaw will replace him at the top and gets another opportunity to establish himself in the Australian Test side.
Renshaw’s last Test appearance came against India in Delhi in February 2023. He came into that match as a concussion substitute for David Warner and was dismissed for two in Australia’s second innings.
It means he will return to Test cricket after a gap of more than three years.
The 30-year-old has earned his recall after a strong Sheffield Shield season, scoring 499 runs at an average of 49.90, including three centuries.
Pat Cummins also wants Renshaw to bring the best version of his batting to the Test side. The Australian captain’s message was about being sharp at the crease and putting pressure back on the bowlers rather than allowing them to settle.
For Renshaw, this is another big opportunity. At this stage of his career, he will know that a strong performance against Bangladesh could help him get a longer run at the top of Australia’s batting order.
Nathan Lyon Retained Ahead of Scott Boland
There was plenty of discussion before the second Test over whether Australia would leave Nathan Lyon out and go with an all-pace attack consisting of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Scott Boland.
However, Australia have decided to retain Lyon.
The experienced off-spinner had a difficult first Test, taking only one wicket for 125 runs, but Australia have kept faith in him for Mackay.
It also means Scott Boland misses out again.
Boland has been very consistent whenever he has received an opportunity, but with Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood available, it remains difficult for him to break into Australia’s first-choice pace attack.
The decision to play Lyon also gives Australia a specialist spin option if the surface starts offering more assistance to the spinners as the Test progresses.
Marnus Labuschagne’s Form Remains a Big Concern
Another major concern for Australia is the form of Marnus Labuschagne.
Labuschagne scored only 1 and 31 in the defeat against Bangladesh in Darwin and remains under pressure heading into the second Test.
His century drought has now gone on for more than three years.
Labuschagne’s last Test century came against England in the fourth Ashes Test at Old Trafford, Manchester, in July 2023, when he scored 111 in Australia’s second innings.
Since that century, Labuschagne has gone 42 Test innings without another hundred and has averaged only 25.23 during that period.
His calendar-year Test numbers over the last three years also show his struggle for consistency:
| Year | Tests | Runs | Average | Highest Score | 100s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 9 | 464 | 30.93 | 90 | 0 |
| 2025 | 8 | 271 | 20.85 | 65 | 0 |
| 2026* | 2 | 117 | 29.25 | 48 | 0 |
*2026 figures are up to the end of the first Test against Bangladesh.
His returns became even more concerning in 2025, when he managed only 271 Test runs at an average of 20.85.
In 2026, he has scored 117 runs from four innings so far. After making 48 and 37 against England in the Sydney Ashes Test in January, he managed only 1 and 31 against Bangladesh in Darwin.
Australia have continued to back him at No.3, but they will hope he can finally produce a big innings in Mackay.
Australia Playing XI for Second Test vs Bangladesh
Australia have made only one change from the side that lost the opening Test, with Renshaw coming in for Weatherald.
Australia Playing XI: Matt Renshaw, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Beau Webster, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
The bowling combination remains unchanged, with Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood forming the pace attack and Lyon playing as the specialist spinner.
Huge Test for Australia and Bangladesh in WTC Race
There is plenty at stake for both teams in Mackay.
Australia entered the series as strong favourites, but Bangladesh completely outplayed them in Darwin to win by nine wickets.
Despite the defeat, Australia remain on top of the World Test Championship standings with a points percentage of 77.78.
A 2-0 defeat at home against Bangladesh would be one of the most disappointing Test series results in Australia’s recent history. Cummins and his team will therefore be desperate to level the series.
For Bangladesh, the opportunity is even bigger.
After this series, Bangladesh have six Tests remaining in the current WTC cycle. Four of them will be at home — two against West Indies and two against England — while they will also travel to South Africa for a two-Test series.
A victory in Mackay would not only give Bangladesh a historic series sweep in Australia but would also further strengthen their position in the race for the World Test Championship final.
The Australia playing XI for second Test vs Bangladesh shows that the hosts have resisted making too many changes despite the defeat in Darwin.
Weatherald has been dropped, Renshaw gets another chance after more than three years, while Labuschagne remains under serious pressure to rediscover his best Test form.
There is a lot at stake in Mackay. Australia are playing to avoid a historic home series defeat, while Bangladesh have an opportunity to complete one of the biggest series wins in their Test history.
🇦🇺 AUSTRALIA ANNOUNCE THEIR PLAYING XI FOR THE SECOND TEST! 🏏🔥
Australia have confirmed their final XI for the second Test match.
All eyes will now be on this lineup as they gear up for another big Test battle! 👀🔥#Australia #TestCricket #PlayingXI #Cricket pic.twitter.com/Arfztfr6Jg
— CricInformer (@CricInformer) August 21, 2026