Published: 11:01 AM, 22 August 2026
Aussies considering shock selection call for Bangladesh Test
Australia captain Pat Cummins has confirmed recalled batter Matthew Renshaw will open in his return to the Test arena for the second fixture against Bangladesh in Mackay, but has stopped short from locking in the final XI as the Aussies wait on making a final call on their bowling group.
Renshaw will open alongside Travis Head for the second ICC World Test Championship contest, with the left-hander to replace fellow southpaw Jake Weatherald who was dropped earlier in the week.
Cummins surprisingly failed to name the playing XI Australia will use for the second Test in Mackay when speaking to reporters at Great Barrier Reef Arena on Friday, with the skipper suggesting a final decision of including Scott Boland instead of veteran spinner Nathan Lyon was still being discussed.
"It's another pitch we haven't played (on) before in red-ball or in a Test match, so just trying to give them another day really to see whether it's four quicks or a spin," Cummins said.
Lyon picked up just one wicket during the opening Test against Bangladesh in Darwin, though one thing in his favour is that the 38-year-old has never been dropped for a red-ball Test when fully fit under the captaincy reign of Cummins.
Cummins said a final decision on the makeup of the bowling group will be left right up until the last minute before the toss on Saturday.
"I think it's largely conditions based," Cummins said.
"If you think there's a good chance that first or second innings (of the match) you're going to take 10 with mainly the quicks relatively quickly, and perhaps the fourth innings isn't going to break up, that's a lot of the decision.
"And then, you know, probably the extra layer is having someone like Scotty Boland on the bench who obviously is very class. I think that's why the conversation always comes up."
Cummins did confirm that Renshaw would open the batting and the captain is confident the 30-year-old is ready to make his return to the Test setup.
"We just want his best," Cummins added.
"I think some of the kind of chat about Renners in the past is he can look different from day to day.
"I think now, when you get to your back half of your career as a batter, you want to really know what you look like at your best and I think he does that.
"That's the hope with Renners, is to keep bringing your best version every day. That's being nice and sharp, putting a bit of pressure back on the bowlers."
Australia squad: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, MarnusLabuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster.
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