Overview
- Australia announced a full XI for the first Test in Darwin that starts on Aug 13 with Pat Cummins as captain and Josh Hazlewood selected ahead of Scott Boland.
- The hosts have Mitchell Starc, Hazlewood, Cummins and Nathan Lyon all fit together for the first time in over a year, giving Australia a rare, experienced pace and spin combination.
- Bangladesh arrive weakened by injuries with Nahid Rana ruled out of the opener due to a side strain while pacer Shoriful Islam passed a fitness test and is available to play.
- The two Tests will be played at Marrara Stadium in Darwin and the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay, with free live coverage on Seven and 7plus and Ricky Ponting leading the commentary team.
- The Darwin match launches a demanding 20 to 21 Test schedule for Australia that forces workload management for senior players and offers domestic growth opportunities for northern venues backed by public funding.