Australia have welcomed back captain Pat Cummins, fast bowler Josh Hazlewood and veteran spinner Nathan Lyon after injury, naming all three in a 13-man squad for next month’s two-Test home series against Bangladesh.
The matches, to be played in Darwin (August 13-17) and Mackay (August 22-26), are part of the ongoing World Test Championship cycle.
The trio played only three Tests between them during last summer’s Ashes because of injuries. Australia have not fielded their first-choice bowling attack of Cummins, Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Lyon together since the tour of the West Indies a year ago.
However, chief selector George Bailey said it was too early to confirm whether all four would play in the opening Test.
“We won’t be locking in an XI this far out,” Bailey said.
“We know we have good depth in the squad across the two-Test series.”
Hazlewood returns after missing the entire Ashes with hamstring and Achilles injuries. The 35-year-old has taken 295 wickets in Tests at an average of 24.21 but has struggled with injuries in recent years.
During his absence, Scott Boland impressed by taking 20 wickets in Australia’s 4-1 Ashes series win over England, putting pressure on Hazlewood for a place in the playing XI.
Bailey praised Boland’s performances and said the Victorian fast bowler has made a strong case for himself.
Hazlewood’s return means there is no place for Michael Neser, despite his impressive performances during the Ashes.
The squad is also Australia’s first since opener Usman Khawaja retired from Test cricket.
Jake Weatherald has retained his place despite scoring at an average of 22.33 in his debut Ashes series. Bailey said the selectors still believe Weatherald and Travis Head can develop into a strong opening pair.
Cameron Green has also kept his place despite a disappointing Ashes, while Beau Webster is the other all-rounder in the squad. Josh Inglis has been retained as a middle-order batting option.
Australia currently lead the World Test Championship standings and will look to strengthen their position with a series win over fourth-placed Bangladesh before a challenging 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.
