Australia Playing XI Vs Bangladesh For 1st Test Announced; Ashes Hero Out

Australia have announced their playing XI vs Bangladesh [Source: AFP]

In a significant development, Cricket Australia announced the Australia playing XI vs Bangladesh for the 1st Test. Led by Pat Cummins, Australia are set to face Bangladesh in the first Test of the two-match series at the Marrara Cricket Ground in Darwin. 

Cummins returns to the Australia playing XI vs Bangladesh as the designated captain. Josh Hazlewood, who was ruled out of the Ashes due to injury, also makes his comeback to the team. Meanwhile, Scott Boland, Australia's second-highest wicket-taker in the Ashes 2025-26, has been left out, with Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins set to lead the pace attack. 

Openers and top-order: Jake Weatherald, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne

Jake Weatherald: The left-handed opener made his debut in the Ashes 2025-26 against England. Although he had an underwhelming campaign, Weatherald redeemed himself in the subsequent Sheffield Shield and County Championship (1045 runs, average- 45.43) and would be keen to make a mark after being named in the Australia playing XI vs Bangladesh.

Travis Head: The swashbuckling southpaw played a pivotal role in Australia's victorious Ashes campaign, scoring 629 runs in 10 innings. After Usman Khawaja's retirement, Travis Head will continue to open, having struck 929 runs in 17 innings at that position. Head's explosive batting will allow Weatherald to take his time and play his natural game. 

Marnus Labuschagne: The gritty batter is vastly experienced, having represented Australia in 63 Tests, scoring 4694 runs at an average of 44.7. Labuschagne is Australia's designated number three batter and will be key to their success with his dodged resistance. 

Also Read: Steve Smith, Travis Head Nearly Injure Bangladesh Players With Wayward Golfing

Middle order and all-rounders: Steve Smith, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (WK), Beau Webster

Steve Smith: The legendary Steve Smith is the backbone of Australia's batting order. He is their most-capped Test batter among the current squad members and has amassed 10763 runs. Smith has showcased remarkable consistency in Tests since 2025 (801 runs, average- 53.40) and will be a serious threat to the Bangladesh bowling unit. 

Cameron Green: All-rounder Cameron Green is known for his power-hitting skills. Green has 1736 runs and 39 wickets in the format and strengthens the Australia playing XI vs Bangladesh with his attributes. 

Alex Carey: The left-handed batter is highly rated for his never-say-die attitude. Alex Carey is Australia's crisis man and adds depth to their batting unit apart from empowering the hosts with a reliable wicketkeeping option. 

Beau Webster: As Green is injury-prone, Beau Webster could be a workhorse as the fourth seam-bowling option in the Australia playing XI vs Bangladesh. Webster has played 8 Tests, scoring 452 runs and scalping 11 wickets with his medium pace. 

Bowlers: Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon

Mitchell Starc: The left-arm fast bowler can swing the ball up front and trouble the Bangladesh batters. Starc's left-arm angle and ability to keep the batters under the pump with his pace and accuracy make him a deadly customer with the ball. Starc has bagged 433 wickets and has a golden opportunity to surpass the legendary Kapil Dev and Dale Steyn on the list of highest wicket-takers in Test history. 

Pat Cummins: The Australian captain can make the red-ball talk at rapid pace. Pat Cummins can generate significant lateral movement off the deck and will be eyeing a dream Test comeback after missing a majority of the Ashes 2025-26 due to a recurring back injury. 

Josh Hazlewood: The veteran fast bowler will play a Test match for the first time since July 2025. Hazlewood was ruled out of the Ashes 2025-26 due to an Achilles injury. However, his comeback to the Australia playing XI vs Bangladesh shut the door for Scott Boland, who emerged as a hero for the team in the Ashes with 20 wickets in 5 matches. As Hazlewood forms the decorated trinity with Starc and Cummins, Boland missed out on selection, despite proving his mettle in the Ashes. 

Nathan Lyon: The experienced bowler has made into the Australia playing XI vs Bangladesh as the solitary spinner. Lyon has 567 wickets in 141 Tests and his ability to generate overspin makes him a genuine threat to the Bangladesh batting unit. 

Australia's playing XI vs Bangladesh for 1st Test, 2026

Jake Weatherald, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Beau Webster, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (C), Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon

Also Read: Andre Russell Becomes CPL’s King, Breaks Mammoth Record Millions Aspire