Australia will be back at full strength ahead of the two-Test series against Bangladesh, with the injured trio returning to strengthen the squad.
Published July 21, 2026
Australia captain Pat Cummins, fellow fast bowler Josh Hazlewood and veteran spinner Nathan Ryan have returned from injury to join the 13-man squad for next month’s two-Test home series against Bangladesh.
The trio were named on Tuesday for the games in Darwin (August 13-17) and Mackay (August 22-26), which form part of the World Test Championship cycle, after playing just three Test matches during last year’s home Summer Ashes.
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Australia’s ‘big four’ of Cummins, Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Lyon have not bowled together since the West Indies tour a year ago due to various injuries, but chief selector George Bailey said it was too early to confirm whether they would all feature against Bangladesh, although they are fit.
“We’re not going to lock in 11 points this far,” Bailey told reporters on a video call Tuesday.
“We know there is depth throughout these two Test series.”
Hazlewood, 35, is one of Australia’s most destructive bowlers with 295 Test wickets at an average of 24.21, but his output has been limited by injuries in recent years, with hamstring and Achilles problems forcing him to miss the entire Ashes series.
In his absence, 37-year-old seamer Scott Boland took 20 wickets in a fantastic series that beat England 4-1, and Bailey spoke candidly about the competition Hazlewood face from Victoria Quick.
“Scotty would never say that, but I think he’s making a strong case that yes, in the words of the big three (fast bowlers), he could be one of them,” Bailey said.
Hazlewood’s recall means there will be no place for Michael Nether despite the paceman’s excellent Ashes campaign.
This is the first team since the retirement of opening pitcher Usman Khawaja and could give them a chance to rise to the top of the pecking order.
South Australian opener Jake Weatherald averaged 22.33 in five matches in his debut Test series at the Ashes, but he remained despite struggling.
The pocket-sized left-armer remains unconvinced, but Bailey says selectors saw positives in his opening combination with Travis Head during the Ashes.
“I hope we see some growth from it (Ashes) and an understanding of what it takes to be successful at Test level,” he said.
Cameron Green also retained his spot after losing to the disappointing Ashes with bat and ball and is one of the team’s two all-rounders alongside Beau Webster.
Josh Inglis remained as a candidate for a middle-order hitter.
Australia are at the top of the World Test Championship midway through the cycle and will aim to solidify their position with a series win over fourth-placed Bangladesh ahead of a grueling tour of South Africa in October.
Australia: Pat Cummins (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Ryan, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster.
