Australia return to full strength for Bangladesh Tests as Cummins, Hazlewood and Lyon return

Australia has named a 13-man squad for the upcoming two-Test series against Bangladesh, with captain Pat Cummins, paceman Josh Hazlewood and spinner Nathan Lyon all returning from injury, as reported by ABC Australia and Al Jazeera. The trio were included for the matches in Darwin (August 13-17) and Mackay (August 22-26), which form part of the World Test Championship cycle.

Cummins, Hazlewood and Lyon played only three Tests between them during the Ashes in the last home summer, as injuries disrupted their campaigns. According to ABC Australia, chief selector George Bailey said the players had "worked extremely hard, individually and with the [fitness] teams, over the past few months to return from their respective injuries." He also noted that while this is a 13-player squad, players are prepared and available should any adjustments be required.

Australia's "big four" of Cummins, Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Lyon have not bowled together since the West Indies tour a year ago, but Bailey said it was too early to confirm whether they would all turn out against Bangladesh. "We won't be locking in an 11 this far out," he told reporters. "We do know that across this two-Test series, the depth is there."

Hazlewood's return and ambitions

Hazlewood, 35, has been one of Australia's most devastating bowlers, taking 295 Test wickets at an average of 24.21, but injuries have limited his output in recent years, including forcing him to miss the entire Ashes series with hamstring and Achilles problems. According to ABC Australia, Hazlewood has returned to peak fitness following those injury-impacted years and has been preparing with other squad members at the National Cricket Centre in Brisbane.

The paceman said the "big days" of training in one location without other playing commitments were ideal for replicating a day in the field in Test cricket. "It's just trying to replicate a day in the field of Test cricket. It's bowling multiple spells in a day. It's bowling back-to-back days," he said. "This has been tailor-made for a Test match, which I think should work out well."

Hazlewood also expressed a desire to win series in India and England, two classic confrontations that loom large in the 20 Tests Australia are set to play in the next 12 months. Australia have not won an away Ashes series since 2001, while 2004 was the last triumph in India, as reported by ABC Australia. "The big series are obviously England and India. I haven't won in South Africa either, so there are a few boxes to tick off there, not just me, but this whole playing group," Hazlewood said. "That's been a driving factor during this prep, it is in the back of your head, and in the months leading into it. They're real big Test series, all away against tough competition. Hopefully we get the job done."

Weatherald retains spot

Opening batsman Jake Weatherald has retained his spot in Australia's Test squad for the Bangladesh series, despite a middling Ashes campaign last summer, as reported by ABC Australia and Al Jazeera. He will resume his opening batting partnership with Travis Head after playing all five Tests against England last summer. The Darwin-born left-hander made only 201 runs at an average of 22.33 in that series, but has been given the opportunity to play in front of his home crowd in Darwin.

Key claims

  • Josh Hazlewood has returned to peak fitness following several injury-impacted years.
  • Australia has not won an away Ashes series since 2001 and last won a series in India in 2004.
  • Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, and Nathan Lyon have returned from injury to be included in Australia's 13-man squad for the two-Test series against Bangladesh.
  • Jake Weatherald has been retained in Australia's Test squad despite struggling during his debut Test series in the Ashes.
  • Australia will play 20 Test matches over the next 12 months.
  • Josh Hazlewood wants to win series in India and England.