Australia have made one change to their squad for the second and final Test against Bangladesh, dropping opener Jake Weatherald after a difficult outing in the series opener. Left-handed batter Matthew Renshaw has been brought in as his replacement for the Mackay Test.
Weatherald managed only 23 and a duck in the first Test as Australia were bowled out for 198 in their first innings. Renshaw, meanwhile, returns to the Test setup for the first time in more than three years, having last appeared in the format in Delhi in 2023.
Renshaw’s most recent Test appearance came as a concussion substitute for David Warner. Since then, the 30-year-old has remained involved in Australia’s white-ball squads, featuring in both ODI and T20I cricket.
The recall also gives Australia another option at the top of the order after their batting unit struggled against Bangladesh.
RENSHAW GETS ANOTHER TEST CHANCE
Australia’s squad still includes Marnus Labuschagne despite his continuing struggles for runs. The No. 3 scored 31 in the second innings of the opening Test, but coach Andrew McDonald admitted that the batter knows he needs to produce more.
“I think it was 31 he got in the second innings, and up until the point he got out, you’d sit there and say he was looking good,” McDonald said.
“He was moving well, he’s clipping off his pads, he was getting back through the ball down the ground. So it’s easy for me to sit here and try to defend that, but ultimately it’s 31. It’s not a big score. He’s lacked runs. He feels that. We feel that. We’re working incredibly hard as a coaching group,” he added.
Australia will otherwise retain the core of their squad, with wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis and fast bowler Scott Boland continuing as reserve options.
The second Test begins in Mackay on August 22, with Australia looking to respond after Bangladesh exposed weaknesses in their top order during the opening match.
Australia squad for 2nd Test vs Bangaldesh: Pat Cummins (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster.
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