Australia have announced their squad for the second Test against Bangladesh following a heavy defeat in the opening match of the series. There is one major change in the Australia squad for second Test vs Bangladesh, with out-of-form opener Jake Weatherald dropped and Matt Renshaw recalled.
Weatherald was given a consistent run by Australia but failed to make the most of his opportunities. He has managed only one half-century in his Test career so far and struggled again in the first Test against Bangladesh.
Renshaw, meanwhile, has earned another opportunity after some impressive performances in domestic cricket and useful contributions for Australia in limited-overs cricket.
Jake Weatherald Dropped After Poor Run in Test Cricket
Weatherald made his Test debut during the 2025-26 Ashes but has struggled to establish himself at the international level.
His difficulties continued in the first Test against Bangladesh in Darwin, where he scored 23 in the first innings before being dismissed for a duck in the second.
After six Tests, Weatherald has a batting average of just 20.36, with only one half-century to his name.
The numbers have now gone against him despite Australia giving him a decent run at the top of the order.
It is quite a contrast to his domestic form before his Test call-up. Weatherald scored 906 runs during the 2024-25 Sheffield Shield season, which played a major role in pushing him into the national setup.
However, he has not been able to carry that form into Test cricket.
Matt Renshaw Returns to Australia’s Test Squad
Matt Renshaw has been recalled as Weatherald’s replacement. The left-handed batter last played a Test for Australia against India in Delhi in February 2023.
Renshaw has kept himself in contention through his performances in domestic cricket. During the 2025-26 Sheffield Shield season, he scored 499 runs at an average of 49.90, including three centuries.
His ability to play spin could also be useful against Bangladesh, while his experience as an opener gives Australia a direct replacement for Weatherald.
Renshaw has also been involved with Australia’s limited-overs sides in recent months.
Matt Renshaw’s Recent Form for Australia
Renshaw produced some good performances against Pakistan in the ODI series, scoring 61, 43 and 4 in his three innings.
However, his ODI series against Bangladesh was disappointing. He managed scores of only 2, 0 and 0.
Renshaw responded strongly in the T20I series against Bangladesh. He smashed an unbeaten 89 from 52 balls in the second T20I, registering his highest score in T20 internationals.
Earlier in the year, he also scored 65 against Zimbabwe and 37 against Ireland during the 2026 T20 World Cup.
His recent performances, combined with his solid Sheffield Shield season, have now brought him back into Australia’s Test plans.
Will Matt Renshaw Open in the Second Test?
Renshaw’s inclusion gives Australia an interesting decision to make before the second Test.
The most straightforward option would be to bring Renshaw directly into the playing XI as an opener alongside Travis Head. He has plenty of experience opening the batting in red-ball cricket.
Marnus Labuschagne has retained his place in the squad despite scoring only 32 runs across the two innings of the first Test.
Therefore, Australia could keep Labuschagne at No.3 and use Renshaw as the direct replacement for Weatherald at the top.
The final combination, however, will only become clear when Australia confirm their playing XI.
Bangladesh Beat Australia by Nine Wickets in First Test
Australia are under pressure going into the second Test after Bangladesh produced a convincing performance in Darwin.
The hosts were bowled out for just 198 in their first innings. Bangladesh responded with 426, taking a huge 228-run lead.
Australia managed 284 in their second innings, helped by a century from Cameron Green, but that left Bangladesh with a target of only 57 runs.
Bangladesh chased it down with the loss of just one wicket to complete a nine-wicket victory and take a 1-0 lead in the two-match Test series.
So, Australia did not lose the first Test by a certain number of runs. They were beaten by nine wickets after Bangladesh successfully chased 57 in the fourth innings.
Australia Squad for Second Test vs Bangladesh
Pat Cummins (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Matt Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc and Beau Webster.
The second and final Test is scheduled to begin on August 22 in Mackay.
With Bangladesh leading the series 1-0, Australia need to win the second Test to avoid a series defeat at home.
Weatherald’s exclusion and Renshaw’s return are the major talking points in the Australia squad for second Test vs Bangladesh. It will now be interesting to see whether Renshaw walks straight into the playing XI and gets another opportunity at the top of Australia’s batting order.
Jake Wetherald has been dropped and Matt Renshaw is added to the Australia squad for 2nd test against Australia.#AusvsBan pic.twitter.com/nMeZiBEtiF
— CricInformer (@CricInformer) August 18, 2026