Australia's cricket squad is looking suspiciously like its old self again. After a rather lengthy injury hiatus that saw some key players sitting out the Ashes – because apparently, even elite athletes need a break from breaking things – Captain Pat Cummins, fast bowler Josh Hazlewood, and the venerable spinner Nathan Lyon are all back in the fold.
They've been named in the 13-man squad heading to Darwin (August 13-17) and Mackay (August 22-26) for a two-Test series against Bangladesh. These matches aren't just for bragging rights; they're crucial points in the World Test Championship cycle. Let's just say, the last home summer's Ashes series was a bit sparse for this trio, who collectively managed only three Tests. Someone's physio is probably still having nightmares.
The Band's Back Together (Mostly)
The real headline here is the potential reunion of Australia's famed "big four" bowlers: Cummins, Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Lyon. They haven't all played together since their West Indies tour a year ago, thanks to a revolving door of injuries. Chief selector George Bailey, ever the diplomat, isn't quite ready to confirm all four will unleash their combined might on Bangladesh, even though they're all technically fit.
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Start Your News Detox"We won’t be locking in an 11 this far out," Bailey noted, perhaps hinting at a deep roster or just enjoying the suspense. "We do know that across this two-Test series, the depth is there."
Josh Hazlewood, at a spry 35, boasts 295 Test wickets at an average of 24.21. He's a menace. Or rather, was a menace, before hamstring and Achilles problems kept him out of the entire Ashes series. His absence, however, paved the way for 37-year-old seamer Scott Boland, who, with 20 wickets in the 4-1 Ashes win over England, proved he wasn't just keeping the bench warm. Bailey even mused that Boland is making a strong case to join the "big three" fast bowlers. Which, if you think about it, is both impressive and slightly terrifying for Hazlewood.
Boland's rise means Michael Neser, despite a perfectly good Ashes campaign, finds himself on the outside looking in. The brutal math of elite sports, folks.
New Faces, Old Hopes
This squad is also notable for being the first since opener Usman Khawaja decided to hang up his whites, leaving a rather large hole at the top of the batting order. South Australia's Jake Weatherald is still in the mix, despite an Ashes debut that saw him average a modest 22.33 across five matches. Apparently, selectors saw "positive signs" in his opening partnership with Travis Head. Or perhaps they're just hoping he's learned a few things about not getting out.
Cameron Green, another player who had a less-than-stellar Ashes with both bat and ball, remains in the squad as one of two all-rounders, alongside Beau Webster. Josh Inglis is also sticking around as a potential middle-order option. Because you always need options.
Currently, Australia sits atop the World Test Championship table. A series win against fourth-placed Bangladesh would be a nice little confidence boost before they head off for a "challenging" (read: probably brutal) tour of South Africa in October. May their hamstrings hold up.
Australia squad: Pat Cummins (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster.
