Australia To Recall BGT 2017 Hero Vs Bangladesh; Marnus Labuschagne's Place Hangs By A Thread

Australia could recall BGT 2017 hero vs Bangladesh [Source: AFP]

Australia had a disastrous start to the home series against Bangladesh, as the Tigers swatted them aside by nine wickets in Darwin. Although Australia entered the encounter as the clear favourites due to home advantage, the spirited efforts from Hasan Mahmud, Tanzid Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz helped Bangladesh secure a historic victory against the odds. 

The crushing defeat in Darwin pushed Australia to the verge of an embarrassing whitewash. According to Code Sports, the hosts are set to make a few bold changes to their playing XI, with Jake Weatherald and Marnus Labuschagne being the frontrunners to face the axe. 

The hosts could also recall Matt Renshaw, one of their clinical performers from the 2017 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in India.  

Matt Renshaw could replace Jake Weatherald in Australia's playing XI vs Bangladesh

Experienced left-handed batter Matt Renshaw entered Australia's white-ball setup, making his ODI debut in October 2025. The southpaw even received a surprising T20I call-up as a replacement for Matthew Short, who was dropped from Australia's T20 World Cup squad due to poor form. 

While Renshaw has become a regular member of the white-ball squads since then, Jake Weatherald's persistent lean patch could prompt the Australian selectors to bring him back in Test cricket. Renshaw was one of the most impressive performers in the 2017 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, finishing the four-match series as Australia's second-highest scorer with 232 runs. 

Weatherald, who made his debut during the Ashes 2025-26, has managed only 224 runs in 6 Tests at a modest average of 20.4. 

The southpaw was projected as a long-term replacement for David Warner, but he has failed to live up to the expectations despite being given a consistent run. The Bangladesh bowlers exploited Weatherald's technical limitations, as the opening batter managed only 23 runs in the first Test in Darwin. 

Thus, Jake Weatherald has neither provided the Aussies with brisk starts nor been reliable against the moving ball. So, given that he has not been able to replicate his domestic success in international cricket, Cricket Australia could bring Matt Renshaw as his replacement for the second Test in Mackay. 

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Matt Renshaw made his Test debut in 2017 and has played 14 matches in the format, scoring 645 runs, including one hundred and three fifties. 

The renaissance of Usman Khawaja made Australia sideline Renshaw from their Test plans earlier. But given he is coming off a marvellous Sheffield Shield campaign, which saw him amass 499 runs at an average of 49.90, the left-hander would be desperate to make a mark if he receives a recall for the Test series decider in Mackay. 

Marnus Labuschagne's place under scrutiny; but will he be replaced?

The Code Sports report further states that Marnus Labuschagne is under fire amid his inconsistent run in Test cricket. The right-hander had an outstanding start to his career, averaging 59.06 across 32 games between 2018 and 2022. 

Labuschagne's batting form has significantly dipped from 2023, as he has managed 1655 runs in as many games at a miserable average of 30.09. Such performance from one of the most senior batters has been considered inexplicable by Australia's decision-makers. 

However, unlike Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne doesn't have an in-form alternative who can walk into Australia's playing XI straightaway in Mackay. 

Unless the Australian selectors make a bold choice and launch the dynamic Cooper Connolly as a left-field option at number three, Labuschagne will likely retain his place due to a lack of significantly better options. 

Who could replace Labuschagne if Australia decide to move on from the veteran?

Having said that, if Cricket Australia decides to move on from Marnus Labuschagne and revamp the batting core ahead of crucial Test tours of India, England and South Africa, then either Kurtis Patterson or Nathan McSweeney can be drafted into the existing squad as his replacement. 

McSweeney has played three Tests, scoring 72 runs in his brief career. Meanwhile, Kurtis Patterson is a seasoned veteran in the Australian circuit, having amassed 7406 runs in 112 First-Class matches and could be a more reliable option than McSweeney to come in for Labuschagne. 

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