Australia have confirmed their XI for the first Test against Bangladesh in Darwin, with Josh Hazlewood beating Scott Boland to the final pace-bowling place as the hosts reunite their leading attack.
Captain Pat Cummins confirmed the selection on the eve of the Test, bringing Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and himself together in the same XI for the first time in more than a year.
Nathan Lyon also returns after missing the end of the Ashes with a hamstring injury. Cameron Green and Beau Webster retain their places as Australia stick with two pace-bowling all-rounders.
The decision leaves Boland as the unlucky omission. He played all five Ashes Tests last summer and carried Australia’s attack while Cummins, Hazlewood and Lyon spent time on the sidelines.
Cummins knows Boland will remain important during Australia’s demanding schedule. The team could play as many as 21 Tests over the next 12 months.
“They’re both pretty class, aren’t they?” Cummins said of Hazlewood and Boland. “It’s always a pretty tight call.”
He added: “There’s a lot of cricket coming up. But he knows his worth and how good he is. I’m sure he’ll be out there at some point pretty soon.”
Australia have also settled their batting order. Green moves up to No.5, with wicketkeeper Alex Carey remaining at No.6 and Webster at No.7.
Carey had been considered as a possible replacement for retired opener Usman Khawaja at No.5. Cummins believes Australia have a better balance with Carey staying at six.
“’Kez’ has won a few games for us at number six,” Cummins said. “We like that combination of him and Webster at six, seven.”
Green’s promotion gives Australia an extra layer of batting before the three specialist quicks and Lyon.
Darwin offers Australia an unusual Test setting. Marrara Stadium has hosted little first-class cricket, although an Australia A match against Sri Lanka A last year produced a strong batting surface.
Bangladesh are expected to select Mahedi Hasan and Taijul Islam, who have more than 500 Test wickets between them but have never played Test cricket in Australia.
Australia’s confirmed XI is Jake Weatherald, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Beau Webster, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood.
The first Test starts in Darwin today, with Australia entering the series with their strongest available pace combination back together.
