Usman Khawaja and Ashton Agar are all set to return for the first Test against Bangladesh in Dhaka, starting tomorrow (Sunday).
The visitors have revealed their playing XI for the match and unless any injury, the team will remain the same. The left-hander Khawaja will be paying his first competitive game in more than seven months and will look to regain some form in his comeback innings.
Khawaja and Agar, were both parts of the Aussie squad during the Test series in India which the hosts won by a 2-1 margin. The duo spent the full series carrying drinks and serving as reserves, as Australia played Shaun Marsh and Steve O’Keefe ahead of them.
Here is the Playing XI for Australia:
Steve Smith (c), David Warner, Matthew Renshaw, Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Wade, Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
The players who will be warming the benches in the opening Test are all-rounder Hilton Cartwright, fast-bowler Jackson Bird and leggie Mitchell Swepson.
Khawaja had scored the bulk of his runs in home conditions while his average in the subcontinent is less than 20, which is surely worrying signs, however, captain Steve Smith feels the southpaw was a better-equipped player now and can tackle the expected spin barrage which is going to unfold during the two match series.
“I think he’s a player who has worked very hard on playing against spin. I know he didn’t get an opportunity in India, but he spent a lot of time in the nets working on lots of things and finding different ways to play, and I’m sure that’ll hold him in good stead for this series as well.
“He’s worked hard in the nets the last week, and hopefully we can see him have a big impact in this series,” Smith said.
Spinner Ashton Agar, who made his debut four years ago and hogged the limelight with a breathtaking 98 batting at No. 11 is all set to return. Smith feels that he is a much-improved spinner now and will lend variety in the bowling line-up.
“Ashton Agar (is) back into the fold after four years out. I think he’s come a long way over the last year particularly. He’s been bowling very well in the nets. His lengths have been exceptional, so if he can get those right in the game I’m sure he’ll have a big impact for us.”