Australia Make One Change for Second Test Against Bangladesh

Sports Desk

Ahead of the second Test against Bangladesh, Australian captain Pat Cummins had some thoughts about the playing XI. He wanted some time to decide whether to field a pace-friendly four-bowling attack or keep Nathan Lyon in the XI. However, within minutes of the end of the pitchside press conference, Australia’s playing XI was finalized.

There is only one change from the playing XI for the Darwin Test. Matthew Renshaw has been brought back in place of opener Jack Weatherald. Veteran spinner Nathan Lyon has retained his place in the playing XI for the Test at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay.

Cummins said at the press conference the day before the match, “I want to wait another day to decide whether to play with four pacers or keep a spinner.”

However, immediately after the captain finished speaking, the selectors sat down for a meeting on the side of the pitch. Only then was Lion’s presence confirmed.

Despite fielding four pacers in the two day-night Tests in 2025, the precedent of keeping a healthy Lion out of the playing XI in a red-ball Test has only happened once in 14 years in Australian cricket.

The hosts are banking on the bowling attack that delivered a historic nine-wicket win over Bangladesh in Darwin in the first Test. Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood will lead the pace attack, while Lyon will be the main spinner.

Meanwhile, 29-year-old Renshaw returns to the Test XI for the first time since 2023. He will open again in place of Weatherald, who was ruled out of playing his first Test. He caught the eye in the 2016-17 season when he scored a century against Pakistan at the age of 20. He also has two centuries in first-class cricket at this venue in Mackay.

Despite losing the first Test by a huge margin, the Aussies have not made any major changes to the team. Despite not having a run with the bat for a long time, the team management has kept Marnus Labuschagne at the number three position.

While acknowledging the team’s failure in the first match, Cummins heaped praise on Bangladesh. “Many would say we have to win every match – and that’s what we want. Especially winning at home is a big deal for us,” he said.

“We didn’t play our best cricket. But credit to Bangladesh, they played brilliantly and they are a really strong team,” added the Aussie captain.

As this was the first Test to be played at Mackay’s ground, there was some curiosity about the wicket. The visiting team tried to get a sense of the conditions by watching footage of the Australia ‘A’ and India ‘A’ match at this ground two years ago. While it was reported that the batting was easier as the game progressed, curator Peter Kazakoff said that the weather was a bit cooler at this time of year, so the wicket would remain damp for a longer period.

Australia XI: Matthew Renshaw, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wicketkeeper), Beau Webster, Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood.