Australia's bowling heavyweights are finally back together.
Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon will share the field for the first time in 13 months when Australia face Bangladesh in the opening Test of their marathon 21-Test journey, in Darwin.
The quartet, the backbone of Australia's attack for much of the past decade, have been pulled apart by injuries and absences over the past year. Cummins and Hazlewood featured in just one Test apiece during last summer's Ashes, while Lyon missed the back end of the series with a hamstring injury. The four last played together during the West Indies tour in July 2025.
Now, with all four fit and available, Australia have reunited their formidable attack for their first Test in eight months.
Hazlewood won the final pace-bowling spot ahead of Scott Boland, joining Starc and Cummins in a quicks combination that Australia have not been able to field together for more than a year. Lyon's return completes a formidable quartet as the hosts begin a demanding stretch of Test cricket.
Boland, who played all five Tests last summer, is the unlucky omission despite his outstanding run. With Australia facing up to 21 Tests over the next 12 months, however, Cummins expects the veteran quick to have plenty of opportunities.
"It's always a pretty tight call," said Cummins. "There's not much you can say to Scotty other than obviously there's a lot of cricket coming up."
Australia will also field two pace-bowling allrounders, with Cameron Green moving up to No.5 and Beau Webster (who can also bowl spin) retaining his place at No.7. Alex Carey is slotted between them after an impressive Ashes campaign.
Australia XI for first Test against Bangladesh
Jake Weatherald, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Beau Webster, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
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