Test cricket returns to Australia’s tropical Top End for the first time since 2003 when the hosts take on Bangladesh in a two-match series beginning Thursday.The first Test at Marrara Stadium in Darwin will be Bangladesh’s first Test tour of Australia in more than 20 years. It also starts a 12-month period in which Australia are scheduled to play at least 20 Tests, including series against South Africa, India and England.Australia are set to bring back their main bowling attack, with Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon returning from injuries. Mitchell Starc is also in the side.Injuries have meant the four have rarely played together in recent series. Hazlewood’s expected return means Scott Boland will miss out, while allrounders Cameron Green and Beau Webster are also in the starting XI.“We know Scotty’s class, it is always a pretty tight call,” Cummins said at a press conference on Wednesday. “There is not much you can say to Scotty except there is a lot of cricket coming up.“He knows his worth, and how good he is, and I am sure he will be out there at some point pretty soon.”
Australia’s batting questions
Australia’s bowling attack looks settled, but there are questions over the batting order.Jake Weatherald, the first Test player from Australia’s Northern Territory, has kept his place after Australia’s Ashes win over England last season despite his recent form. He is expected to open with Travis Head.Usman Khawaja’s retirement has allowed Australia to play both Green and Webster in the same XI. Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith will bat at No. 3 and No. 4, with Labuschagne also looking for runs to strengthen his position in the side.
Bangladesh without key bowlers
Bangladesh will be without Nahid Rana, Mustafizur Rahman and Shoriful Islam for the first Test. Shoriful could return for the second match in Mackay from August 22 to 26.Rana, 23, is one of Bangladesh’s quickest bowlers and was a key part of their ODI series win over Australia two months ago. He suffered a side strain during a T20I against Zimbabwe in July.
A busy year ahead
The series against Bangladesh begins a schedule of 20 Tests for Australia over the next 12 months, with another match possible if they qualify for the World Test Championship final.After the second Bangladesh Test, Australia will tour South Africa for three Tests in October. They will then host New Zealand for four Tests before a five-Test series in India.Australia will also play a one-off day-night Test against England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in March to mark the 150th anniversary of matches between the two countries.The schedule will conclude with an away Ashes series beginning in June.
