Australia have announced a strong playing XI for the first Test against Bangladesh in Darwin, and perhaps the biggest talking point is the return of Josh Hazlewood.
The Australia Playing XI vs Bangladesh also brings Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Hazlewood back together in a Test attack after a gap of exactly 395 days. The three last played together against West Indies in the day-night Test at Sabina Park, Kingston, which finished on July 14, 2025. Australia’s first Test against Bangladesh starts on August 13, 2026.
Australia captain Pat Cummins confirmed the XI on the eve of the match, as Australia often do before home Tests. The first match of the two-Test series will be played at Marrara Stadium in Darwin from August 13 to 17, while Mackay will host the second Test from August 22.
There are plenty of interesting calls in this team, but none bigger than Scott Boland missing out.
Australia Playing XI vs Bangladesh: Scott Boland Unlucky to Miss Out
If there is one player who can genuinely feel unfortunate, it is Scott Boland.
Boland once again showed his quality during the 2025-26 Ashes. He finished with 20 wickets at an average of 24.95, making him Australia’s second-highest wicket-taker in the series behind Mitchell Starc. Starc was the leading wicket-taker with 31 wickets and was named Player of the Series.
Twenty Ashes wickets are not numbers you normally associate with a bowler losing his place in the next Test. But that tells you everything about Australia’s fast-bowling depth.
Cummins admitted that choosing between Hazlewood and Boland was extremely difficult. He also made it clear that Boland knows how highly the Australian team values him and is expected to get opportunities during Australia’s heavy Test schedule over the next 12 months.
And that is why you have to feel for Boland.
His consistency is outstanding. His ability to keep hitting the same area and force batters into mistakes makes him a world-class Test bowler. In another team, he would probably be one of the first fast bowlers selected.
But when Australia have a fit Starc, Cummins and Hazlewood, somebody has to miss out.
Josh Hazlewood Returns to Test Cricket After 395 Days
Hazlewood’s comeback is another major story going into the Darwin Test.
The 35-year-old last played a Test against West Indies in Kingston from July 12-14, 2025. Injuries then kept him out of the entire 2025-26 Ashes series. A hamstring injury followed by an Achilles problem delayed his return to Test cricket.
He therefore enters the Bangladesh series having gone more than a year without playing a Test.
Hazlewood currently has 295 Test wickets, meaning he is only five away from becoming the latest Australian bowler to reach the 300-wicket mark.
His return also allows Australia to reunite their famous pace combination.
The last Test in which Starc, Cummins and Hazlewood all appeared together was that Kingston match against West Indies in July 2025. Australia won the day-night contest by 176 runs after bowling West Indies out for just 27 in the second innings.
So, when the three walk out together in Darwin, it will be the first time in 395 days that Australia’s long-standing pace trio share a Test XI.
Pat Cummins Has Played Only One Test in the Last 12 Months
Cummins himself is also returning after another long period away from Test cricket.
Since the Kingston Test in July 2025, Australia’s captain has played only one Test match — the third Ashes Test against England at Adelaide Oval in December 2025.
A back problem kept him out of the first two Ashes Tests in Perth and Brisbane. He returned in Adelaide after going 158 days without bowling in a competitive match, but Australia then managed him out of the final two Tests of the series.
That means the Bangladesh Test will be just Cummins’ second Test appearance since July 2025.
It makes Australia’s decision to go with their full-strength pace attack even more interesting. They could easily have rested one of their senior quicks against Bangladesh at home, but instead Starc, Cummins and Hazlewood are all playing.
There is a simple cricket reason behind it.
Australia are beginning an extremely busy Test cycle and are currently leading the World Test Championship standings. With major away tours ahead, this Bangladesh series gives the experienced quicks an opportunity to get back into red-ball rhythm.
Nathan Lyon Returns After Hamstring Surgery
Nathan Lyon is another experienced player coming back into the Australian XI.
There was some confusion around his Ashes absence, but Lyon did not miss the complete series.
The off-spinner played the first three Tests against England. On the final day of the Adelaide Test, he injured his right hamstring while diving in the field. The injury required surgery and ruled him out of the fourth Test at the MCG and the fifth Test at the SCG.
Now fully fit, Lyon comes straight back into the XI.
Cummins indicated that Australia were quite clear about wanting Lyon in the side. The Marrara Stadium surface is expected to become better for batting once the early moisture disappears, and Australia did not want to go into the match with an all-pace attack.
It gives them a much more balanced bowling combination.
Starc provides left-arm pace and swing, Hazlewood offers control and movement, Cummins brings bounce and accuracy, while Lyon gives them a genuine wicket-taking spin option.
Then you have Cameron Green and Beau Webster available as additional seam-bowling options.
That is a serious bowling attack.
Jake Weatherald Gets Another Opportunity at the Top
Australia have also confirmed that Jake Weatherald will continue as an opener alongside Travis Head.
Weatherald made his Test debut during the 2025-26 Ashes and has so far played five Tests, scoring 201 runs at an average of 22.33, with a highest score of 72. His only Test fifty came during the second Ashes Test at the Gabba.
The numbers are not outstanding yet, but Australia clearly see something in the left-hander.
His domestic record explains why he received the opportunity in the first place. Weatherald scored 906 runs at an average of 50.33 during his strong run before earning Ashes selection.
The Darwin Test will also be special for him personally.
Weatherald was born and raised in Darwin and is set to play his first Test on home soil. He will partner Travis Head, who has established himself at the top of the order following his success there during the Ashes.
For Weatherald, though, runs will matter.
Australia have backed him after an average start to his Test career, and a home series against Bangladesh gives him an important chance to make that position his own.
Cameron Green at No.5, Alex Carey at No.6
Another debate before the series was around Australia’s batting order.
Alex Carey had openly said that he would be happy to move up to No.5 following Usman Khawaja’s retirement. Carey normally bats lower in the order for Australia but has already shown that he can succeed higher up. He made a career-best 156 from No.5 against Sri Lanka in Galle.
Australia, however, have decided to promote Cameron Green to No.5.
Carey will remain at No.6, while Beau Webster bats at No.7.
It is not difficult to understand why Australia want to keep Carey in that role.
The wicketkeeper-batter has now played 48 Tests and scored 2,333 runs at an average of 35.89, including three centuries and 13 fifties. He also has 186 Test catches and 19 stumpings.
More importantly, his recent form has been excellent.
Carey was Australia’s leading run-scorer in the 2025-26 Ashes, finishing with 323 runs. His series included 106 and 72 in the Adelaide Test, while his performances at No.6 gave Australia exactly the type of lower-middle-order stability they wanted.
Carey had also been averaging just under 50 across his previous 18 Test innings heading into the series.
That is why keeping him at six makes sense.
Carey is capable of batting with the top order when wickets fall early, but he is also one of Australia’s best players when batting with the tail. Moving him too high could take away some of that flexibility.
Green and Webster Give Australia Extra Bowling Depth
Cameron Green at five and Beau Webster at seven also give Cummins plenty of options with the ball.
Australia already have Starc, Cummins, Hazlewood and Lyon as their four main bowlers.
Green and Webster can both bowl seam.
That means Cummins does not have to overwork the three senior fast bowlers, something particularly important when you consider how little competitive Test cricket Cummins and Hazlewood have played recently.
It also explains why Australia can afford to pick such an experienced attack without worrying too much about workload during individual spells.
The balance looks strong.
Australia’s Confirmed Playing XI for First Bangladesh Test
Australia will line up with Jake Weatherald and Travis Head as openers, followed by Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith. Cameron Green has been promoted to No.5, Alex Carey will keep wicket and bat at No.6, and Beau Webster takes No.7.
Mitchell Starc, captain Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood complete the bowling attack. Scott Boland and Josh Inglis are the two members of the 13-man squad who miss out.
Australia XI: Jake Weatherald, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Beau Webster, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
Australia Playing XI vs Bangladesh Makes Australia’s Intent Clear
This is a strong Australian side, and the selection makes one thing very clear: they are not looking at the Bangladesh series as an opportunity to take things easy.
Hazlewood is back after 395 days away from Test cricket. Cummins has played only one Test in the previous 12 months. Lyon is returning after hamstring surgery. Weatherald is getting another opportunity to establish himself as a Test opener, while Green has been trusted with the important No.5 position.
And then there is Scott Boland, a bowler who took 20 wickets in the Ashes, sitting outside the XI.
That alone explains the strength Australia currently have in their fast-bowling department.
For the first time since July 2025, Starc, Cummins and Hazlewood will operate together again. With Lyon alongside them and Green and Webster providing further options, the Australia Playing XI vs Bangladesh looks balanced, experienced and built to start this World Test Championship phase strongly.
