Australia pull out big guns in Darwin Test: Cummins, Hazlewood, Starc start vs BAN

Australia have pulled out the big guns for the first Test against Bangladesh in Darwin, with Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon all named in the XI as the hosts begin a packed Test schedule in full strength.Australia have named their full strength side for the first Test against Bangladesh. (Image: Reuters)If you thought Australia would take it easy against Bangladesh, think again. Pat Cummins' side have pulled out their biggest guns for the opening Test in Darwin, naming a full-strength XI featuring Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon for the two-match series opener on Thursday, August 13.Australia's selection sends a clear message ahead of the first Test, with the hosts opting for their strongest available combination despite a gruelling year ahead that could see them play as many as 21 Tests.The match will also be a significant one for several key players returning to the Test side, while Australia have made some interesting calls in both their bowling attack and batting order.LYON TIPS BALANCENathan Lyon's return has been central to Australia's team selection, with the veteran spinner back in the Test side after recovering from a hamstring injury. His inclusion came at the expense of Scott Boland, despite the seamer's outstanding run during the last Australian summer. Boland played a key role in Australia's dominant Ashes campaign in the absence of Cummins and Hazlewood, but the return of the two frontline quicks has left him on the sidelines in Darwin.Cummins admitted the decision between Boland and Hazlewood was a tight one, but revealed that Australia's determination to play Lyon helped determine the final combination. "They're both pretty class, aren't they?" Cummins said, as quoted by Cricket.com.au."We were pretty certain we wanted 'Lyono' in the side, so (it came down to) working out what the make-up of the quicks were."It's always a pretty tight call. It's one of those ones where there's not much you can say to Scotty other than obviously there's a lot of cricket coming up."But he knows his worth and how good he is. I'm sure he'll be out there at some point pretty soon."With Lyon expected to become increasingly important as the Test progresses, Australia have opted to pair him with their premier pace attack of Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood.GREEN MOVES UPAustralia have also reshaped their middle order, with Cameron Green taking over at No.5.Green finished the Ashes two places lower at No.7, but Beau Webster's continued presence at No.7 has allowed Australia to move the all-rounder up the order.Steve Smith will remain at No.4, with Green following him before wicketkeeper Alex Carey and Webster complete the middle order.Carey had been open to moving up to No.5 following the retirement of Usman Khawaja, but Cummins believes Australia are better balanced with their wicketkeeper remaining at No.6."'Kez' has won a few games for us at number six," Cummins said. "We like that combination of him and Webster at six, seven."We feel like Greeny's a good number five – you can try and get funky, but we thought that's kind of how the team will function the best. Pretty good problem to have when someone like Kez could bat even higher than he is."The decision gives Australia a settled top seven, with Jake Weatherald and Travis Head opening the innings before Marnus Labuschagne and Smith, followed by Green, Carey and Webster.BIG NAMES RETURNThe Darwin Test will also mark the return of several of Australia's biggest names after disrupted periods.Cummins and Hazlewood managed just one appearance between them during the last Ashes campaign because of back and leg issues respectively, while Lyon has been sidelined by his hamstring injury.Their return gives Australia a formidable bowling attack, with Starc completing a pace unit that has extensive experience of Test cricket and Lyon providing the frontline spin option.It is also the first time since 2003 that Australia and Bangladesh will meet in a Test on Australian soil.When the teams last played Tests in Australia, the hosts dominated the two-match series, securing innings victories in both Darwin and Cairns.Bangladesh will therefore face a formidable challenge from the outset, with Australia making it clear through their team selection that there will be no easing into the series.- EndsPublished By: Amar PanickerPublished On: Aug 12, 2026 11:02 IST