Exiled star’s damning reveal; hint on Green, Marnus reality laid bare — Aussie Test squad Winners & Losers

Australia’s 13-man Test squad to face Bangladesh featured few surprises, but generated plenty of questions.

The series is first assignment of a blockbuster 12-month window that includes tours of India, England and World Test Champions South Africa, plus a home summer against New Zealand and a likely date in next year’s World Test Championship final.

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Selectors have by and large retained the faith in the squad which triumphed 4-1 over England over the summer .

But with Marnus Labuschagne’s spot again up for debate and Jake Weatherald not setting the world on fire following his baggy green call-up, the top order looks far from stable.

The opposite is true of the bowling attack, with Pat Cummins leading Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon into a ninth year as Australia’s optimum quartet, while Scott Boland will play a key role even if he returns to first reserve status.

From Australia’s plans for their tough assignments ahead to how they plan on taking down the Tigers in their first Tests against them since 2017, here’s what we learned from the squad reveal.

WINNERS

MARNUS LABUSCHAGNE

Left carrying drinks for Australia’s tour of the West Indies 12 months ago, Labuschagne didn’t exactly suggest he had fixed his problems with the bat during the summer’s Ashes.

Outstanding domestic form counted for little as the teams’ long-term No.3 managed just two 50s and an average of 28.77, albeit in difficult conditions.

But selectors have retained the faith for at least the Bangladesh series, and the absence of a top-order replacement, with Josh Inglis the reserve batter in the squad, suggests it would take a lot for him not to be on the plane to South Africa in September.

Reports that the pitches in Darwin and Mackay will be batter-friendly, a stark contrast to the treachery faced by Australians on their own shores in recent years, also come as a boon for the 32-year old.

“At this time of year, you’re probably expecting reasonably good batting wickets,” chief selector George Bailey said after revealing the squad.

On pristine surfaces, in as off-Broadway a series as Australia has played at home in a generation, against a Bangladeshi bowling attack that doesn’t exactly inspire terror, Labuschagne couldn’t be given a better chance to succeed.

At the start of an enormous 12 months that features tours of India and England and a blockbuster summer against New Zealand, runs now might be repaid tenfold down the track.

After all, we all know what the Queenslander can do when in a rich vein of form.

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THE BANGLADESH SERIES

Any fears Australia would treat this series as virtual second XI matches, similar to India’s approach for their recent one-off Test against Afghanistan, were instantly dispelled by the squad reveal.

The entire top order that triumphed over England has been backed in again, from Ashes rookie Jake Weatherald to Steve Smith.

Even more significantly, though, is the reuniting of Australia’s most prolific four-man bowling quartet.

Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon will almost certainly take to the field together for the first time since last year’s tour of the West Indies … with Scott Boland as the world’s most deadly fifth banana.

“I’m sure there’ll be Tests where that group will play together - there may be some that they don’t,” Bailey cryptically quipped when asked if the foursome were guaranteed to reunite.

However, he left the door open for Boland to do as he is yet to do in his remarkable Test career, and be picked over one of Hazlewood or Starc on merit instead of merely injury.

“Scotty would never say it, but I think he’s mounting a strong case that, when you use the words ‘the Big Three’, that he could be one of those.”

Above all else, it’s a sure fire indicator Australia will take this assignment as seriously as any other – welcome news for Darwin and North Queensland-based cricket fans who get the rarest of opportunities to see modern greats in action in their own backyard.

For Cummins and Hazlewood, too, it’s a chance for miles in the legs and to find consistency ahead of a South Africa tour that looms as a legacy piece.

NATHAN LYON

Australia’s greatest ever off-spinner made his displeasure at being axed for the second Ashes Test last summer abundantly clear.

Lyon told media he was “absolutely filthy” at being axed, before his summer got even worse when a severely torn hamstring in the third Test prematurely ended his campaign.

The injury opened the door for a replacement spinner, most likely heir apparent Todd Murphy or impressive Western Australian Corey Rocchiccioli, to be dropped into the Ashes cauldron and begin planning for life after Lyon.

But that is still yet to eventuate, and no doubt Lyon is thrilled to once again be the sole spinner on duty against Bangladesh.

The ‘GOAT’ is set to play a major role over the next 12 months, most obviously in India early next year but also in the 2027 Ashes.

Even in South Africa, home spinner Keshav Maharaj has carved out a fine career on largely pace-friendly pitches to prove there’s room for quality slow bowling.

JAKE WEATHERALD

12 months of outstanding first-class form earned Weatherald his baggy green in the Ashes, and five mediocre Tests haven’t stamped his cards yet.

A vulnerability against in-swing bowling against England’s quicks, a weakness sure to be targeted aggressively by a Kagiso Rabada-led Proteas attack, is undoubtedly a worry.

But like Labuschagne, a dearth of alternative top-order options means the second opening spot alongside Travis Head remains his to lose.

Speaking after the squad announcement, Bailey voiced a desire for a stable partnership at the top of the order, another point in Weatherald’s favour.

“There were moments in that series where we liked the combination of what Jake and Travis were able to bring in there,” Bailey said.

“Hopefully we do see some growth out of that and some understanding of what it takes for success at Test level.”

Having endured a baptism of fire on treacherous pitches over the summer, with two of five matches over inside two days, the 31-year old should welcome an easier-looking assignment, in more favourable conditions for batting.

DUAL ALL-ROUNDERS

Beau Webster fans, rejoice.

Having impressed at every turn in his first 12 months as a Test cricketer, averaging north of 40 with the bat and under 25 with the ball despite being in and out of the team, the all-rounder looms as crucial to Australia’s plans for the next year.

Webster’s inclusion in the 13-man squad to face Bangladesh was no surprise, but the lack of a replacement batter in the squad for the retired Usman Khawaja – Josh Inglis remains the reserve, as he was over the summer – bodes well for his prospects of adding to his eight Test caps.

A shock choice to bat at No.8 in the fifth Ashes Test indicated he was still behind Cameron Green in the all-rounder pecking order, but the signs couldn’t be clearer that Australia’s selectors see scope to pick both of them in the same top seven.

“We think it can work,” Bailey said of the prospects of a Webster-Green middle order pairing.

The Tasmanian’s ability to bowl some handy spin as well as accurate medium pace – plus the batting he offers at No.6 or 7 – will be ultra-handy against India in particular, and could even be a point of difference against South Africa if conditions allow.

TRAVIS HEAD

If three centuries in a dominant Ashes summer didn’t pencil Head in as a Test opener for the foreseeable future, then the Bangladesh Test squad rubber-stamped it.

Head will partner Weatherald, bar a shock about-face, for at least the two Tests against the Tigers, while the right-hander’s uncertain hold on his spot makes the cult hero’s role even more important.

Already an established opener in subcontinental conditions, Head is a cert to feature at the top of the order against India, while there is the need for an aggressive opening batter in the David Warner mould in South Africa.

The South Australian also has a chance at history in Darwin and Mackay.

Having reached three figures at all seven Australian Test venues where he has played – Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Hobart and Canberra – he can take the record he jointly holds with Matthew Hayden, Steve Waugh, Justin Langer and David Warner all for himself with a single ton against Bangladesh.

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LOSERS

MATT RENSHAW

Despite breaking into Australia’s white-ball teams over the last 12 months, Renshaw appears as far away as ever from adding to his 14 Test caps.

Nearly a decade on from winning his baggy green cap, the Queenslander was a dominant force at domestic level last summer, highlighted by a Sheffield Shield-leading three centuries in just six matches.

But Inglis has once again been preferred as the sole reserve batter in the Australian squad.

Given as little as two years ago Renshaw’s versatility left him perennially there and thereabouts for Test duty, this latest omission comes as something of a surprise.

Adding to the case for the 30-year old is the team’s dearth of quality beyond Head at the top of the order - should Weatherald or Labuschagne have failed against Bangladesh, he would have been a readymade replacement from within the squad.

Renshaw showed at age 20 with a maiden Test ton against Pakistan that he had the ability and the temperament for the highest level.

But with every snub, his chances of making a spot his own keep getting unlikelier.

SPINNERS NOT NAMED NATHAN LYON

Lyon’s remarkable Test career may be entering its twilight, but Australia’s greatest off-spinner was declared “fit to go” by Bailey as he prepares to resume his place at the heart of Australia’s bowling attack.

For back-up spinners Todd Murphy and Matt Kuhnemann, however, the wait goes on.

Murphy, 25, has long been viewed as Lyon’s natural successor, featuring in seven Tests for 22 wickets, but has not represented Australia since the tour of Sri Lanka in 2025.

Kuhnemann has also impressed whenever called upon, claiming 25 wickets in just five Tests in the subcontinent, including a stunning 16 wickets across two matches in Sri Lanka.

But the left-armer has again been overlooked as selectors place their faith in Lyon’s experience.

The omission doesn’t necessarily signal the end of either player’s hopes.

With Australia facing a demanding schedule of 21 Tests over the next 12 months, Bailey acknowledged selectors are already planning for changes throughout the year.

“Across the 21 Tests there’ll be different times when there’ll be different names and different line-up,” Bailey said.

“I don’t think that the XI will be the same across each of the next 21 Tests.”

While Lyon remains Australia’s undisputed No. 1 spinner, the relentless Test schedule means Murphy and Kuhnemann should soon receive another opportunity to stake their claim as the long-term successor to one of the game’s all-time greats.

MICHAEL NESER

The Queensland quick produced one of the defining performances of last summer’s Ashes, ripping through England with second-innings figures of 5-42 in Brisbane.

But the popular veteran has still been overlooked for Australia’s 13-man squad.

At 36, Neser once again finds himself squeezed out by arguably the strongest pace attack in world cricket, with Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood and Boland all preferred.

It’s a brutal reminder of Australia’s extraordinary fast-bowling depth.

Despite rarely letting the selectors down when called upon for his five previous Tests, opportunities continue to be scarce for the dependable seamer.

However, Bailey was adamant the door isn’t shut yet, foreseeing a recall at some point over the next 12 months.

“We do know that across this two-Test series, the depth is there,” he said.

“We’ve got some quicks that are outside this squad as well that will be well placed should anything move on us as well.”

With 21 Tests scheduled for the coming year, Neser can be confident that opportunities will arise.

NEW BLOOD

Australia’s next generation may be edging closer to the Test arena, but the Bangladesh series won’t be their breakthrough.

Despite growing calls to begin refreshing an ageing line-up, selectors have opted to back experience, leaving emerging talents such as Cooper Connolly and Xavier Bartlett to continue waiting for their opportunity.

With several senior stars entering the twilight of their careers, the transition to Australia’s next Test team is expected to gather pace over the next 12 to 24 months.

But the the time isn’t right just yet, though Bailey revealed Connolly, Bartlett and several other emerging players remain firmly in Cricket Australia’s long-term plans, particularly with an Australia A tour of India later this year.

“We certainly acknowledge that that’s a really key series for us, that A series, and we’re pretty excited about the group that we’re putting together for that and the opportunity over there,” Bailey said.

He added that the tour would play a vital role in preparing Australia’s next wave of Test hopefuls for the challenges of the subcontinent.

“Some guys are starting to get some good levels of experience over there,” he said.

“Hopefully when they do get their opportunities to tour there with the national team, that’ll hold them in really good stead.”

The selectors are even weighing up whether some young players should prioritise the India A tour over international white-ball cricket to fast-track their red-ball development.

“Those guys and a couple of others ... that will be a debate,’ he said.

“Whether there are some that can come across and play some of the white-ball series potentially in Zimbabwe and South Africa and then join for part of the India series.”

While the Bangladesh squad offers no immediate rewards, Bailey’s comments suggest the next generation won’t have to wait long.

With demanding tours of India and England looming, opportunities are expected to arise.

And when they do, Connolly, Bartlett and Australia’s other rising stars will be at the front of the queue.

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