Australia opt to bat in Darwin after Cummins wins toss in 1st Test vs Bangladesh

Australia captain Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bat in the first Test against Bangladesh in Darwin on Thursday. The fixture is the opening match of a two-Test series between the sides.

Australia named an XI of Travis Head, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Beau Webster, Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood. Bangladesh's lineup contains Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain and Hasan Mahmud. Bangladesh's bowling attack will be without Nahid Rana, Mustafizur Rahman and Shoriful Islam. Nahid Rana suffered a side strain during a T20 international against Zimbabwe.

Rana had impressed against Australia earlier this year, troubling a depleted Australian side with his pace and bounce as Bangladesh secured a historic ODI series win at home. Australia retained Jake Weatherald after the Ashes series win over England despite an indifferent run of form. Weatherald, the first Test player from Australia's Northern Territory, is expected to open alongside Travis Head.

Australia will have a strong bowling attack, with Cummins playing only his second Test in 13 months. He will lead a pace attack featuring Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood. Nathan Lyon and allrounders Cameron Green and Beau Webster will add further strength to the bowling unit.

Bangladesh are playing their first Test in Australia since 2003. The two-Test series begins a busy 12-month period for Australia, with the team set to play 20 Tests, including tours of South Africa, India and England.