Matt Renshaw will open with Travis Head against Bangladesh in the second Test starting Saturday at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay, Cricket Australia announced on the eve of the game.
Opener Renshaw is replacing Jake Weatherald in the playing XI, who was dropped after the first Test after scoring 23 & 0 in two innings batting at the top.
Renshaw last played in the format for Australia in 2023 against India, featuring in the middle order. However, he will now return as an opener, a position where he made his Test debut in the 2016-17 season.
Apart from Renshaw, the rest of the lineup is same as in the first match where Australia suffered a shock defeat against the visiting Bangladesh.
“A lot of people jump to say that ‘You have to win everything’ – and obviously we hope we do,” Cummins told reporters. “Particularly home Test matches, we pride ourselves on winning as many as we can.”
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“We were nowhere near our best. But I think Bangladesh played really well. They’re a really good cricket team,” Australian captain added.
The host did consider playing a four-pace attack and rest off-spinner Nathan Lyon. “Trying to give it another day to see whether it’s four quicks or a spinner,” Cummins had initially said.
However, Lyon has kept his place in the playing XI which will look to now draw the two-match series.
Australia playing XI: Matthew Renshaw, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Beau Webster, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
Published on Aug 21, 2026
