Australia recall Cummins, Hazlewood and Lyon for Bangladesh Tests
Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon are back in Australia’s 13-man squad for the August home Test series against Bangladesh.
By Lucas Ferreira · Science & Environment Writer
3 min read
Australia have recalled captain Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon for a two-Test home series against Bangladesh in August, Reuters reported. Their return gives Australia the option of reuniting its main bowling group during a World Test Championship series against a top-four rival.
The 13-man squad named Tuesday covers Tests in Darwin from August 13-17 and Mackay from August 22-26, according to Reuters. Cummins, Hazlewood and Lyon played only three Tests combined during the most recent Ashes series because of injury issues.
Reuters reported that Australia’s established bowling quartet of Cummins, Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Lyon has not appeared together since the West Indies tour a year earlier. Chief selector George Bailey said selection for the first Test had not been settled even though the bowlers are fit.
“We won’t be locking in an 11 this far out,” Bailey told reporters on a video call Tuesday, according to Reuters. “We do know that across this two-Test series, the depth is there.”
Hazlewood returns to a crowded pace group
Hazlewood’s inclusion follows a spell disrupted by injuries, Reuters reported. The 35-year-old fast bowler has 295 Test wickets at 24.21, but hamstring and Achilles problems kept him out of the full Ashes series.
Scott Boland strengthened his case while Hazlewood was absent, Reuters reported, taking 20 wickets as Australia beat England 4-1. Bailey said Boland had pushed himself into the debate around Australia’s leading fast bowlers.
“Scotty would never say it, but yeah, I think he’s mounting a strong case that when you use the words of big three (fast bowlers), that he could be one of those,” Bailey said, according to Reuters.
Hazlewood’s return leaves Michael Neser out of the squad despite his Ashes performances, Reuters reported. Starc, Boland, Cummins and Hazlewood are all included among the fast-bowling options, with Lyon the specialist spinner.
Opening spot remains in focus
The squad is Australia’s first since Usman Khawaja retired, Reuters reported, leaving selectors with decisions to make at the top of the batting order. South Australia opener Jake Weatherald has kept his place after averaging 22.33 across five Ashes Tests in his debut series.
Bailey said selectors saw some encouraging signs in Weatherald’s partnership with Travis Head during the Ashes, Reuters reported. “Hopefully we do see some growth out of that [Ashes] and some understanding of what it takes for success at Test level,” Bailey said.
Reuters reported that Cameron Green also remains in the group after a difficult Ashes with bat and ball. Beau Webster joins him as the other all-rounder, while Josh Inglis has been retained as a middle-order batting option.
Australia lead the World Test Championship table midway through the cycle, according to Reuters. Bangladesh are fourth, and Australia will try to strengthen their position before a tour of South Africa in October.
Australia squad: Pat Cummins (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.