Bangladesh face Australia Test might as Cummins, Hazlewood and Lyon return

What the report says

Al Jazeera, citing Reuters, reported that Australia have named a 13-player squad for a two-Test home series against Bangladesh, with captain Pat Cummins, fast bowler Josh Hazlewood and spinner Nathan Lyon back after injury. The matches are scheduled for Darwin from August 13-17 and Mackay from August 22-26, and are part of the World Test Championship cycle.

The returns restore several senior bowling options after Cummins, Hazlewood and Lyon had limited involvement during the previous home Ashes series. Australia’s established group of Cummins, Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Lyon have not played together since a West Indies tour a year earlier, according to the report. Chief selector George Bailey said Australia were not ready to settle on a starting XI, while noting the squad’s depth across the two matches.

Hazlewood’s inclusion comes after hamstring and Achilles issues kept him out of the Ashes. Scott Boland, who took 20 wickets in Australia’s 4-1 Ashes win over England, remains in the squad and is competing for a pace-bowling place. Michael Neser was left out despite his Ashes performances. The squad is also Australia’s first since Usman Khawaja’s retirement, leaving attention on the opening combination.

Jake Weatherald has been retained after averaging 22.33 in his debut Ashes series, while Cameron Green, Beau Webster and Josh Inglis also keep places. Australia are currently top of the World Test Championship standings, with Bangladesh fourth, making the series significant for both teams’ position in the cycle before Australia’s planned tour of South Africa in October.