Last Updated on 24 seconds ago by Charbel Coorey
Australia have confirmed their playing XI for the second and final against Bangladesh. Matt Renshaw for Jake Weatherald is the only change.
The hosts considered playing an all-pace attack with Nathan Lyon missing out. “Trying to give it another day to see whether it’s four quicks or a spinner,” said Pat Cummins earlier this week.
However, Australia will persist with the same attack that toiled away for 138 overs in the first innings in Darwin.
Australia playing XI for 2nd Test against Bangladesh in Mackay: Renshaw in for Weatherald
Australia XI: 1. Travis Head, 2. Matt Renshaw, 3. Marnus Labuschagne, 4. Steve Smith, 5. Cameron Green, 6. Alex Carey (wk), 7. Beau Webster, 8. Pat Cummins (c), 9. Mitchell Starc, 10. Nathan Lyon, 11. Josh Hazlewood
Renshaw returns to Australia’s Test team for the first time in over three years. His last Test was against India in 2023, where he batted in the middle order.
He replaces Jake Weatherald, who was dropped after making scores of 23 and 0 in Darwin. This further increases the pressure on Marnus Labuschagne, who is averaging just 25 since his last Test hundred, achieved in the 2023 Ashes.
“I was one of the people that didn’t perform against a team that I should have in conditions where they were pretty good for batting, especially in the second innings,” Weatherald said.
“So I had an opportunity to make runs, and when you lose heads will roll. If you win you’re probably not changing too much. Unfortunately we lost, it’s just part of it.”
Australia mulled leaving Nathan Lyon out due to the cooler conditions in Mackay. Two years ago, Australia A took on India A at Great Barrier Reef Arena, where Brendan Doggett took 6/15 on a helpful pitch. The surface then settled down for batting as the match went on.
“Looked like it kind of got better to bat on the longer the game went on, but it’s a couple of years ago,” said Cummins, as quoted by cricket.com.au.
“You take it as data, but it’s not the (only factor affecting the selection) decision. It’s largely conditions based.”
Curator Peter Kazakoff says the cooler conditions at this time of year could mean the pitch doesn’t break up as much. Temperatures of 23-24 degrees are forecast each day, but the fact there is full sunshine may have prompted Australia to play a specialist spinner.
“Spinners have had a big say later in the match, but obviously that’s not my call,” said Kazakoff.
“Obviously, those first-class games were a bit later in the year when it was a bit warmer. It’s a lot cooler this time of year, so the moisture will come out of the wicket less, and slower.”
Australia are looking to bounce back after a nine-wicket defeat in Darwin. Meanwhile, Bangladesh are aiming to become the fourth nation to win a Test series down under in the 21st century, joining England, South Africa and India.
