Hazlewood Returns for Darwin Test; Carey to Stay at No. 6

 

Australia’s first-choice Test attack is back together.

 

For the first time in more than a year, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon will line up in the same XI, as Australia begin their two-Test series against Bangladesh in Darwin. Hazlewood’s return is the headline call, with the right-arm quick preferred over Scott Boland for the series opener.

 

Hazlewood Wins the Tight Call

 

Hazlewood has not played international cricket since October last year, with injury ruling him out of the entire Ashes series. His return gives Australia the familiar pace trio of Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood, backed by Lyon’s offspin.

 

Cummins admitted the selection call was tight, especially given Boland’s quality and Australia’s busy upcoming Test schedule.

 

“We obviously know Scotty’s class. It’s always a pretty tight call.”

— Pat Cummins.

 

Lyon Back After Injury Setback

 

Nathan Lyon also returns after his Ashes campaign was cut short by a hamstring injury in Adelaide. Cummins said Lyon had been working hard for the chance to return and looked in excellent shape.

 

“He looks in incredible shape. He’s been bowling beautifully.”

— Pat Cummins on Nathan Lyon.

 

That is a major boost for Australia, especially with the side entering a long and demanding Test stretch.

 

Boland Misses Out, But Door Stays Open

 

Scott Boland is the unlucky name left out.

 

With Hazlewood fit again, Australia have gone back to their most established pace combination. But Cummins made it clear Boland remains highly valued and is likely to get opportunities at some point given the volume of cricket ahead.

 

This is the classic Australia selection squeeze: too many proven fast bowlers, not enough spots.

 

Carey Remains at No. 6

 

Australia have also settled their batting order.

 

Cameron Green will bat at No. 5, Alex Carey will stay at No. 6, and Beau Webster will slot in at No. 7. Carey had recently indicated he would be open to batting higher, but Australia have decided the current structure gives the team better balance.

 

“Kez has won a few games for us at No. 6. I like that combination of him and Webster at six, seven.”

— Pat Cummins.

 

Weatherald Continues as Opener

 

There is no change at the top either.

 

Jake Weatherald will continue as Travis Head’s opening partner, a combination formed early in the Ashes. That keeps Marnus Labuschagne and Steven Smith in their familiar middle-order roles, followed by Green, Carey and Webster.

 

Australia XI for Darwin Test

 

Jake Weatherald, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Beau Webster, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.

 

Interesting Angle for Sportish

 

The interesting part is that Australia’s XI looks both settled and pressured at the same time.

 

Hazlewood’s return restores the dream attack, but it also pushes Boland out despite his strong recent record. Carey staying at No. 6 gives the batting order structure, but it also shows Australia do not want to over-adjust before a packed Test calendar.

 

This is a luxury problem — but also a management problem. Keeping all four senior bowlers fit and involved may be Australia’s biggest challenge in the months ahead.

 

Key Takeaway

 

Josh Hazlewood returns to Australia’s XI for the Darwin Test against Bangladesh, reuniting the first-choice attack of Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood and Lyon. Scott Boland misses out, while Alex Carey stays at No. 6, with Cameron Green at No. 5 and Beau Webster at No. 7.

 

Australia’s full-strength attack is back.

Josh Hazlewood returns for the Darwin Test, Nathan Lyon is back, and Alex Carey stays at No. 6 as Australia confirm their XI against Bangladesh.

 

#AUSvsBAN #JoshHazlewood #PatCummins #NathanLyon #AlexCarey #AustraliaCricket #TestCricket #CricketNews #Sportish