Nathan Lyon retained in Australia XI for second Test vs Bangladesh despite Cummins 'all-pace' call

Australia have named their XI for the second Test against Bangladesh in Mackay on August 22, and retained veteran spinner Nathan Lyon despite captain Pat Cummins discussing an "all-pace" attack. Cricket Australia made one change from the side beaten in Darwin, bringing in Matt Renshaw for Jake Weatherland.

The first Test began on August 13 in Darwin and finished on the fourth day with Bangladesh winning by nine wickets, their first Test victory against Australia on Australian soil. Hasan Mahmud was named Player of the Match after a nine-wicket match haul that included six in the first innings. Tanzid Tamim scored 101, Najmul Shanto made 84 and Mehidy Hasan contributed 65 as Bangladesh built control after the first innings, while Steve Smith top-scored for Australia with 71. Josh Hazlewood claimed six wickets for Australia in the match.

Australia’s senior bowlers—Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc—took only a combined total of four wickets in the opening Test, with Lyon returning just one wicket. Bangladesh’s off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz took a five-wicket haul, dismissing Steve Smith and Alex Carey among others. There had been speculation that Lyon could be dropped for Mackay and Cummins publicly mentioned an all-pace option, but Cricket Australia confirmed their XI and ended those reports.

The only alteration to the XI is the inclusion of Matt Renshaw in place of Jake Weatherland. Despite Lyon’s low returns in Darwin, he remains in Australia’s bowling attack for the Mackay match. The selectors also retain part-time spin options in the batting line-up, with Travis Head and Steve Smith available to bowl if the surface requires spin.

Bangladesh’s pace trio of Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed and Ebadot Hossain outperformed Australia’s pace attack in the first Test in Darwin. Australia are listed as the top-ranked side in the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 points table while Bangladesh are fourth. The second and the final Test will be key for both the teams.

Australia’s XI for Mackay is: Matthew Renshaw, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Beau Webster, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood. Yes, Nathan Lyon will play the 2nd AUS vs BAN Test. No, Scott Boland will not play the 2nd AUS vs BAN Test.

The second and final Test between Australia and Bangladesh is scheduled to begin on August 22 at Mackay.